G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/3/2025 Number Present: 36 Completed Date: 12/3/2025 Age: From 2 To 5 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:30 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 6/4/25. The sanitation inspection was completed on 11/26/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/3/25. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty four percent as of 11/26/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 1/22/25 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. All classrooms were observed in the outdoor space and engaged in gross motor activities. Toddlers transitioned to the indoor space, washed hands, and sat at the table to drink cups of water. Preschoolers created planet crafts. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included bean tostadas, lettuce, tomatoes, pears, and milk. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. In the outdoor space used by preschoolers, the foam barrier around the base of the shade structure was torn causing a large hole. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 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 12/17/25, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with Violation: Safe Environment: Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. In the outdoor space used by preschoolers, the foam barrier around the base of the shade structure was torn causing a large hole. We discussed that tear could allow the children to break pieces of foam and ingest them. You stated that you will contact maintenance to fix this weekend. Check the outdoor space each morning before children arrive to ensure that there are not any hazards. Send me a picture of the repaired equipment with your correction letter. Additional Comments: QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. During the visit we completed the QRIS Conversation Template with a focus on the selected pathway. Your QRIS assessment is due by 12/31/2026. You have decided to follow Pathway #2: Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway. We reviewed all forms for pathway #2 and accessed them at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. 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. NCID: Did you know that if you do not login on any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you every 6 months to login and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. Outdoor Outdoor Learning Environments Work Plan: Bring nature to children by naturalizing childcare centers and family child care homes, schools, residential neighborhoods, parks and greenways, community centers, cultural facilities, botanical gardens, museums and other nonformal education institutions. Today, we discussed adding a music center with pots and pans and manipulatives with storage of materials. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/3/2025 Number Present: 36 Completed Date: 12/3/2025 Age: From 2 To 5 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:30 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 6/4/25. The sanitation inspection was completed on 11/26/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/3/25. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty four percent as of 11/26/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 1/22/25 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. All classrooms were observed in the outdoor space and engaged in gross motor activities. Toddlers transitioned to the indoor space, washed hands, and sat at the table to drink cups of water. Preschoolers created planet crafts. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included bean tostadas, lettuce, tomatoes, pears, and milk. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. In the outdoor space used by preschoolers, the foam barrier around the base of the shade structure was torn causing a large hole. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 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 12/17/25, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with Violation: Safe Environment: Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. In the outdoor space used by preschoolers, the foam barrier around the base of the shade structure was torn causing a large hole. We discussed that tear could allow the children to break pieces of foam and ingest them. You stated that you will contact maintenance to fix this weekend. Check the outdoor space each morning before children arrive to ensure that there are not any hazards. Send me a picture of the repaired equipment with your correction letter. Additional Comments: QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. During the visit we completed the QRIS Conversation Template with a focus on the selected pathway. Your QRIS assessment is due by 12/31/2026. You have decided to follow Pathway #2: Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway. We reviewed all forms for pathway #2 and accessed them at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. 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. NCID: Did you know that if you do not login on any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you every 6 months to login and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. Outdoor Outdoor Learning Environments Work Plan: Bring nature to children by naturalizing childcare centers and family child care homes, schools, residential neighborhoods, parks and greenways, community centers, cultural facilities, botanical gardens, museums and other nonformal education institutions. Today, we discussed adding a music center with pots and pans and manipulatives with storage of materials. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/4/2025 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 6/4/2025 Age: From 2 To 10 Total Minutes: 450 Time In: 09:00 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 7/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed 5/29/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/24/24 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty seven percent as of 6/3/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/3/25 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Toddlers completed puzzles and built structures with blocks. Preschoolers created rooster crafts with paper plates. School age children had group time on the carpet before they went on a field trip to the local park. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of pepperoni and cheese pizza wraps, corn, mixed fruit, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The outdoor carpet on the toddler playground was rolled up in several places causing tripping hazards. On the preschool playground, thorns were found around the stationary climbers and around the barrier of the mulch. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 space #3, a bottle of All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach was located in an unlocked cabinet under a handwashing sink. .2820(b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #4b had a Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission that expired 4/30/25. .0803(12) 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. A staff member hired on 1/12/23 had certification of First Aid that expired 3/25 and was not renewed until 5/17/25. .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. A staff member hired on 1/12/23 had certification of CPR that expired 3/25 and was not renewed until 5/17/25. .1102(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. One (1) out of the eighteen (18) children transported to today’s off-premises activity to Havelock City Park did not have written permission from a parent on file. .1003(i)(j) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The mulch under the stationary climbers and monkey bars on the preschool playground was two (2) inches in depth rather than the required six (6) inches. .0605(k)(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. A staff member hired on 7/8/19 did not complete Health & Safety Training by 9/5/24. .1103(b) 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 6/18/25, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with Documented Violations: Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #4b had a Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission that expired 4/30/25. You stated that the child didn’t enroll until December, but the parent picked up the paperwork early and wrote the authorization for a year. You also stated that you have created a medication chart to document expiration dates for medication and forms. Check medication forms each month to ensure that new authorization is completed before it expires. Transportation Safety: Transporting children in child care is a high-risk activity. You and parents of children enrolled in your care need to be aware that transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and all passengers. Any time children are transported there is a potential for problems to occur. Written permission must be obtained from parents before transporting children. One (1) out of the eighteen (18) children transported to today’s off-premises activity to Havelock City Park did not have written permission from a parent on file. You stated that the parent had not signed a permission form yet and the child was really excited to go on the trip. You started using a roster to check off that each child had written permission on file. Review that checklist before children are transported to ensure that written permission is on file before transporting. Staff Records: Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. A staff member hired on 7/8/19 did not complete Health & Safety Training by 9/5/24. You stated that have begun documenting due dates in Procare. A staff member hired on 1/12/23 had certification of First Aid and CPR that expired 3/25 and was not renewed until 5/17/25. You stated that the staff member was out during the renewal time. We discussed adding the due dates in a digital calendar that can send reminders to you. Review due dates monthly to ensure that certifications do not lapse. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste and their sense of motion. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. The outdoor carpet on the toddler playground was rolled up in several places causing tripping hazards. We discussed different ways to get the carpet to stay in place and you stated that you will have your husband fix it immediately. On the preschool playground, thorns were found around the stationary climbers and around the barrier of the mulch. You stated that you just had the grass cut and the playgrounds maintained recently, and you cut several thorns during the visit. The mulch under the stationary climbers and monkey bars on the preschool playground was two (2) inches in depth rather than the required six (6) inches. You stated that you will add mulch to the areas. We discussed that when you see grass growing through the mulch, it is probably not deep enough. Check the outdoor spaces daily for hazards and thoroughly during monthly inspections. Safe Environment: Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. In space #3, a bottle of All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach was located in an unlocked cabinet under a handwashing sink. You moved the bottle immediately to the locked storage cabinet to correct the violation. You stated that you have a daily checklist that included checking the environment. Ensure that staff members are using the checklist to check the classroom daily for hazards before the children arrive. Additional Comments: NCID: Did you know that if you do not login on any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you every 6 months to login and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. Natural Learning Initiative: https://naturalearning.org/resources/ Resources are created, often in collaboration with the Natural Learning Initiative’s interdisciplinary partners, to support technical assistance, professional development, and generally to promote the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children. Please use and share. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/4/2025 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 6/4/2025 Age: From 2 To 10 Total Minutes: 450 Time In: 09:00 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 7/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed 5/29/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/24/24 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty seven percent as of 6/3/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/3/25 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Toddlers completed puzzles and built structures with blocks. Preschoolers created rooster crafts with paper plates. School age children had group time on the carpet before they went on a field trip to the local park. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of pepperoni and cheese pizza wraps, corn, mixed fruit, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The outdoor carpet on the toddler playground was rolled up in several places causing tripping hazards. On the preschool playground, thorns were found around the stationary climbers and around the barrier of the mulch. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 space #3, a bottle of All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach was located in an unlocked cabinet under a handwashing sink. .2820(b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #4b had a Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission that expired 4/30/25. .0803(12) 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. A staff member hired on 1/12/23 had certification of First Aid that expired 3/25 and was not renewed until 5/17/25. .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. A staff member hired on 1/12/23 had certification of CPR that expired 3/25 and was not renewed until 5/17/25. .1102(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. One (1) out of the eighteen (18) children transported to today’s off-premises activity to Havelock City Park did not have written permission from a parent on file. .1003(i)(j) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The mulch under the stationary climbers and monkey bars on the preschool playground was two (2) inches in depth rather than the required six (6) inches. .0605(k)(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. A staff member hired on 7/8/19 did not complete Health & Safety Training by 9/5/24. .1103(b) 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 6/18/25, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with Documented Violations: Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #4b had a Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission that expired 4/30/25. You stated that the child didn’t enroll until December, but the parent picked up the paperwork early and wrote the authorization for a year. You also stated that you have created a medication chart to document expiration dates for medication and forms. Check medication forms each month to ensure that new authorization is completed before it expires. Transportation Safety: Transporting children in child care is a high-risk activity. You and parents of children enrolled in your care need to be aware that transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and all passengers. Any time children are transported there is a potential for problems to occur. Written permission must be obtained from parents before transporting children. One (1) out of the eighteen (18) children transported to today’s off-premises activity to Havelock City Park did not have written permission from a parent on file. You stated that the parent had not signed a permission form yet and the child was really excited to go on the trip. You started using a roster to check off that each child had written permission on file. Review that checklist before children are transported to ensure that written permission is on file before transporting. Staff Records: Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. A staff member hired on 7/8/19 did not complete Health & Safety Training by 9/5/24. You stated that have begun documenting due dates in Procare. A staff member hired on 1/12/23 had certification of First Aid and CPR that expired 3/25 and was not renewed until 5/17/25. You stated that the staff member was out during the renewal time. We discussed adding the due dates in a digital calendar that can send reminders to you. Review due dates monthly to ensure that certifications do not lapse. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste and their sense of motion. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. The outdoor carpet on the toddler playground was rolled up in several places causing tripping hazards. We discussed different ways to get the carpet to stay in place and you stated that you will have your husband fix it immediately. On the preschool playground, thorns were found around the stationary climbers and around the barrier of the mulch. You stated that you just had the grass cut and the playgrounds maintained recently, and you cut several thorns during the visit. The mulch under the stationary climbers and monkey bars on the preschool playground was two (2) inches in depth rather than the required six (6) inches. You stated that you will add mulch to the areas. We discussed that when you see grass growing through the mulch, it is probably not deep enough. Check the outdoor spaces daily for hazards and thoroughly during monthly inspections. Safe Environment: Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. In space #3, a bottle of All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach was located in an unlocked cabinet under a handwashing sink. You moved the bottle immediately to the locked storage cabinet to correct the violation. You stated that you have a daily checklist that included checking the environment. Ensure that staff members are using the checklist to check the classroom daily for hazards before the children arrive. Additional Comments: NCID: Did you know that if you do not login on any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you every 6 months to login and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. Natural Learning Initiative: https://naturalearning.org/resources/ Resources are created, often in collaboration with the Natural Learning Initiative’s interdisciplinary partners, to support technical assistance, professional development, and generally to promote the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children. Please use and share. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/27/2025 Number Present: 49 Completed Date: 1/27/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 317 Time In: 09:28 AM Time Out: 02:45 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/1/2024. The sanitation inspection was completed on 11/27/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/24/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty two percent as of 1/22/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 1/22/25 and Lsg Enterprises, LLC was listed as current- active. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were napping in cribs and being bottle fed. Toddlers were playing freeze dance with music and preschoolers were playing musical chairs. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included salisbury steak, peas, mixed fruit, whole wheat bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. A fire inspection was completed on 9/6/23 and the current fire inspection was completed on 9/24/24. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 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. In space #1, visual checks had not been documented on safe sleep charts for the two (2) infants observed sleeping in cribs. .0606(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 2/10/25, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with Violations: Safe Sleep Charts: Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important in determine compliance with the child care rules and to ensure the health and safety of each child. Infant sleep charts allow teachers to document visually checking sleeping infants every 15 minutes. They note the infant’s sleep position, skin color, breathing, level of sleep, and body temperature. This needs to be documented every time a child is sleeping in your care. Upon checking the safe sleep charts for the two infants napping in cribs, I found that visual checks had not been documented. The teacher had documented the time that the children had fallen asleep on the dry erase board but had not documented visually checking the children every 15 minutes. We discussed that currently the sleep charts are being stored in a binder and that it if the charts were placed next to the attendance clipboard or posted on the wall above the cribs that it would be a visual reminder to complete as soon as babies are placed in the crib to sleep. You stated that you are considering placing the sleep charts on the wall above the cribs. Ensure that all staff members that work in the infant room know how to complete the sleep charts and can easily locate them to complete beginning when they are laid down to sleep. Fire inspection: Facility safeguarding is not achieved by one agency carrying out a single regulatory program. Total safeguarding is achieved through a multiplicity of regulatory programs and agencies including sanitation and fire inspectors. Fire inspections should be completed annually and within 12 months of the previous inspection. A fire inspection was completed on 9/6/23 and the current fire inspection was completed on 9/24/24. You stated that the fire inspection had been scheduled in advance but was rescheduled by the inspector. Set a reminder in your calendar to request a fire inspection in advance so that they are able to schedule an inspection before 12 months has passed. Additional Comments: ABCMS Provider Portal: You completed the Provider Portal training but were unable to log in to the provider portal. You updated the power form and should be able to log in to the portal to connect staff members applications tomorrow afternoon. I sent you a copy of the connecting application instructions to complete the process. Ensure that you connect all staff members to your facility. Natural Learning Initiative: https://naturalearning.org/resources/ Resources are created, often in collaboration with the Natural Learning Initiative’s interdisciplinary partners, to support technical assistance, professional development, and generally to promote the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children. Please use and share. North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project: NCRLAP’s mission is to promote the quality of child care by consistently and reliably assessing environments for the North Carolina Star Rated License. We collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. The website ncrlap.org offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and getting ready for ITERS-3 and ECERS-3. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® North Carolina Scholarship Program provides educational scholarships to early care professionals and those who perform specialized functions in the early care system. https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/27/2025 Number Present: 49 Completed Date: 1/27/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 317 Time In: 09:28 AM Time Out: 02:45 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/1/2024. The sanitation inspection was completed on 11/27/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/24/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty two percent as of 1/22/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 1/22/25 and Lsg Enterprises, LLC was listed as current- active. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were napping in cribs and being bottle fed. Toddlers were playing freeze dance with music and preschoolers were playing musical chairs. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included salisbury steak, peas, mixed fruit, whole wheat bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. A fire inspection was completed on 9/6/23 and the current fire inspection was completed on 9/24/24. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 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. In space #1, visual checks had not been documented on safe sleep charts for the two (2) infants observed sleeping in cribs. .0606(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 2/10/25, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with Violations: Safe Sleep Charts: Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important in determine compliance with the child care rules and to ensure the health and safety of each child. Infant sleep charts allow teachers to document visually checking sleeping infants every 15 minutes. They note the infant’s sleep position, skin color, breathing, level of sleep, and body temperature. This needs to be documented every time a child is sleeping in your care. Upon checking the safe sleep charts for the two infants napping in cribs, I found that visual checks had not been documented. The teacher had documented the time that the children had fallen asleep on the dry erase board but had not documented visually checking the children every 15 minutes. We discussed that currently the sleep charts are being stored in a binder and that it if the charts were placed next to the attendance clipboard or posted on the wall above the cribs that it would be a visual reminder to complete as soon as babies are placed in the crib to sleep. You stated that you are considering placing the sleep charts on the wall above the cribs. Ensure that all staff members that work in the infant room know how to complete the sleep charts and can easily locate them to complete beginning when they are laid down to sleep. Fire inspection: Facility safeguarding is not achieved by one agency carrying out a single regulatory program. Total safeguarding is achieved through a multiplicity of regulatory programs and agencies including sanitation and fire inspectors. Fire inspections should be completed annually and within 12 months of the previous inspection. A fire inspection was completed on 9/6/23 and the current fire inspection was completed on 9/24/24. You stated that the fire inspection had been scheduled in advance but was rescheduled by the inspector. Set a reminder in your calendar to request a fire inspection in advance so that they are able to schedule an inspection before 12 months has passed. Additional Comments: ABCMS Provider Portal: You completed the Provider Portal training but were unable to log in to the provider portal. You updated the power form and should be able to log in to the portal to connect staff members applications tomorrow afternoon. I sent you a copy of the connecting application instructions to complete the process. Ensure that you connect all staff members to your facility. Natural Learning Initiative: https://naturalearning.org/resources/ Resources are created, often in collaboration with the Natural Learning Initiative’s interdisciplinary partners, to support technical assistance, professional development, and generally to promote the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children. Please use and share. North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project: NCRLAP’s mission is to promote the quality of child care by consistently and reliably assessing environments for the North Carolina Star Rated License. We collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. The website ncrlap.org offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and getting ready for ITERS-3 and ECERS-3. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® North Carolina Scholarship Program provides educational scholarships to early care professionals and those who perform specialized functions in the early care system. https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 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 .0803 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/1/2024 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 7/1/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 460 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 05:00 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/17/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 3/11/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/6/23 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty six percent as of 6/18/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/18/24 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in tummy time, napping, and feeding routines. Toddlers were creating Fourth of July footprint artwork. School age children were on a field trip to Rollerland. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of macaroni and cheese, green beans, mixed fruit, WW bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A lesson plan was not available for review in space #6. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. .0803(12) 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. Two infants were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. .0606(g) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. .1002(b) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1416 School-age program did not have a plan of off premise activities or did not include in the plan the location, purpose, time and date, person in charge, and telephone number or how to contact person in charge. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. .2509(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. .1102(a) 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 7/15/24, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 WITH THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATION (S): Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. You stated that you the child with the Epi-Pen and Benadryl enrolled recently and received the medical action plan and thought you had received the permission forms. Check medication forms each month to ensure that new authorization is completed before it expires. Transportation Safety: Transporting children in child care is a high-risk activity. You and parents of children enrolled in your care need to be aware that transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and all passengers. Any time children are transported there is a potential for problems to occur. Careful planning reduces the risk of harm or injury to children and reduces the liability for child care operators. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. You created a summer camp calendar with location, purpose, time and date and each parent was given a copy. Add the person in charge and how to contact them and post and give to the parents. Tire tread, the ribbed pattern on a tire that makes contact with the road, is important for a vehicle's safety, performance, and efficiency. Tread provides friction, which helps with acceleration, braking, and turning. It also helps keep a vehicle connected to the road and provides traction, which is especially important in dangerous conditions like rain or snow. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. I used a penny to check the depth of the tires and the tread was flush with Lincoln’s head or below on all four tires. You stated that you will have the tires replaced this weekend. Check tires regularly to ensure that the tire tread is above 2/23 of an inch. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. The owner took the van to be inspected during the visit. Add the date of inspection to your calendar with a reminder set of when the inspection is due. Safe Sleep Checks: Staff must follow the safe sleep policy at all times to help keep infants safe. Safe sleep checks must be completed every 15 minutes to check skin color, rise/fall of chest, face is not covered, etc. The checks must be documented on a safe sleep chart and maintained a minimum of thirty days. Two children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. You stated that the lead teacher was on the field trip with the school age children. We discussed that it is imperative that any staff that work with infants understands how to complete sleep charts. We discussed that after staff notate the time on the dry erase board, get the sleep charts and set a timer for 15 minutes to notify when it is time to document. Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. You stated that the teacher has taken the final training and was unable to log in and print the certificate. Use your staff worksheets and create a “tickler” to send a reminder to your phone or email several months before CPR/First Aid expires to ensure you register for a class before your certifications expire. You can also use it to track due dates for items that expire such as Criminal Background Checks, ITS/SIDS Training, Health & Safety Training, etc. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: Natural Learning Initiative: Time outdoors is a critical tool for supporting mental and physical health in young children. Adoption of best practices for outdoor play and learning spaces is critical to increase daily time spent outside. The four components of this project include: 1. Relaunch a supportive network for outdoor play and learning environments in North Carolina; 2. Research nature-based programs and spaces and develop a plan to embed these in licensed childcare in North Carolina; 3. Motivate and train early educators and specialists to promote best practices and increase time in outdoor play and learning in NC childcare facilities; 4. Increase time outdoors playing and learning in NC family child care homes through professional development and technical assistance. Today, we discussed ways to create a natural learning environment in the outdoor spaces. Some of the ideas included a music wall made from kitchen accessories, a garden that the children can help plant, a science center, and stepping stone made from logs. I encourage you to check out naturallearning.org to find resources and professional development options for ways to enhance your outdoor learning environments. 5 Steps to Taking Care of Yourself: Hectic schedules can drain your energy and keep you so busy that you often forget to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Take a moment to stop and think about what you need to do to enable you to perform at your best. So what does self-care look like, and what can you do? 1. Tell yourself that you do matter, and because you matter, it is important to spend time and energy on helping yourself feel better. 2. Be extra nice to yourself. Do things you enjoy that help you relax and unwind. 3. Be patient with yourself. Accept that you will make mistakes and know that you can’t please everyone. Know that things will get better, even if it takes a while. 4. Invest in yourself! Follow your dreams! Say no to situations or people that you know could trigger you in a negative way. Self-care means that you protect yourself so you can build a stronger future self. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .1002 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/1/2024 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 7/1/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 460 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 05:00 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/17/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 3/11/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/6/23 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty six percent as of 6/18/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/18/24 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in tummy time, napping, and feeding routines. Toddlers were creating Fourth of July footprint artwork. School age children were on a field trip to Rollerland. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of macaroni and cheese, green beans, mixed fruit, WW bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A lesson plan was not available for review in space #6. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. .0803(12) 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. Two infants were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. .0606(g) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. .1002(b) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1416 School-age program did not have a plan of off premise activities or did not include in the plan the location, purpose, time and date, person in charge, and telephone number or how to contact person in charge. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. .2509(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. .1102(a) 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 7/15/24, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 WITH THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATION (S): Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. You stated that you the child with the Epi-Pen and Benadryl enrolled recently and received the medical action plan and thought you had received the permission forms. Check medication forms each month to ensure that new authorization is completed before it expires. Transportation Safety: Transporting children in child care is a high-risk activity. You and parents of children enrolled in your care need to be aware that transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and all passengers. Any time children are transported there is a potential for problems to occur. Careful planning reduces the risk of harm or injury to children and reduces the liability for child care operators. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. You created a summer camp calendar with location, purpose, time and date and each parent was given a copy. Add the person in charge and how to contact them and post and give to the parents. Tire tread, the ribbed pattern on a tire that makes contact with the road, is important for a vehicle's safety, performance, and efficiency. Tread provides friction, which helps with acceleration, braking, and turning. It also helps keep a vehicle connected to the road and provides traction, which is especially important in dangerous conditions like rain or snow. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. I used a penny to check the depth of the tires and the tread was flush with Lincoln’s head or below on all four tires. You stated that you will have the tires replaced this weekend. Check tires regularly to ensure that the tire tread is above 2/23 of an inch. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. The owner took the van to be inspected during the visit. Add the date of inspection to your calendar with a reminder set of when the inspection is due. Safe Sleep Checks: Staff must follow the safe sleep policy at all times to help keep infants safe. Safe sleep checks must be completed every 15 minutes to check skin color, rise/fall of chest, face is not covered, etc. The checks must be documented on a safe sleep chart and maintained a minimum of thirty days. Two children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. You stated that the lead teacher was on the field trip with the school age children. We discussed that it is imperative that any staff that work with infants understands how to complete sleep charts. We discussed that after staff notate the time on the dry erase board, get the sleep charts and set a timer for 15 minutes to notify when it is time to document. Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. You stated that the teacher has taken the final training and was unable to log in and print the certificate. Use your staff worksheets and create a “tickler” to send a reminder to your phone or email several months before CPR/First Aid expires to ensure you register for a class before your certifications expire. You can also use it to track due dates for items that expire such as Criminal Background Checks, ITS/SIDS Training, Health & Safety Training, etc. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: Natural Learning Initiative: Time outdoors is a critical tool for supporting mental and physical health in young children. Adoption of best practices for outdoor play and learning spaces is critical to increase daily time spent outside. The four components of this project include: 1. Relaunch a supportive network for outdoor play and learning environments in North Carolina; 2. Research nature-based programs and spaces and develop a plan to embed these in licensed childcare in North Carolina; 3. Motivate and train early educators and specialists to promote best practices and increase time in outdoor play and learning in NC childcare facilities; 4. Increase time outdoors playing and learning in NC family child care homes through professional development and technical assistance. Today, we discussed ways to create a natural learning environment in the outdoor spaces. Some of the ideas included a music wall made from kitchen accessories, a garden that the children can help plant, a science center, and stepping stone made from logs. I encourage you to check out naturallearning.org to find resources and professional development options for ways to enhance your outdoor learning environments. 5 Steps to Taking Care of Yourself: Hectic schedules can drain your energy and keep you so busy that you often forget to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Take a moment to stop and think about what you need to do to enable you to perform at your best. So what does self-care look like, and what can you do? 1. Tell yourself that you do matter, and because you matter, it is important to spend time and energy on helping yourself feel better. 2. Be extra nice to yourself. Do things you enjoy that help you relax and unwind. 3. Be patient with yourself. Accept that you will make mistakes and know that you can’t please everyone. Know that things will get better, even if it takes a while. 4. Invest in yourself! Follow your dreams! Say no to situations or people that you know could trigger you in a negative way. Self-care means that you protect yourself so you can build a stronger future self. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/1/2024 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 7/1/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 460 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 05:00 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/17/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 3/11/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/6/23 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty six percent as of 6/18/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/18/24 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in tummy time, napping, and feeding routines. Toddlers were creating Fourth of July footprint artwork. School age children were on a field trip to Rollerland. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of macaroni and cheese, green beans, mixed fruit, WW bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A lesson plan was not available for review in space #6. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. .0803(12) 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. Two infants were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. .0606(g) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. .1002(b) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1416 School-age program did not have a plan of off premise activities or did not include in the plan the location, purpose, time and date, person in charge, and telephone number or how to contact person in charge. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. .2509(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. .1102(a) 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 7/15/24, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 WITH THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATION (S): Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. You stated that you the child with the Epi-Pen and Benadryl enrolled recently and received the medical action plan and thought you had received the permission forms. Check medication forms each month to ensure that new authorization is completed before it expires. Transportation Safety: Transporting children in child care is a high-risk activity. You and parents of children enrolled in your care need to be aware that transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and all passengers. Any time children are transported there is a potential for problems to occur. Careful planning reduces the risk of harm or injury to children and reduces the liability for child care operators. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. You created a summer camp calendar with location, purpose, time and date and each parent was given a copy. Add the person in charge and how to contact them and post and give to the parents. Tire tread, the ribbed pattern on a tire that makes contact with the road, is important for a vehicle's safety, performance, and efficiency. Tread provides friction, which helps with acceleration, braking, and turning. It also helps keep a vehicle connected to the road and provides traction, which is especially important in dangerous conditions like rain or snow. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. I used a penny to check the depth of the tires and the tread was flush with Lincoln’s head or below on all four tires. You stated that you will have the tires replaced this weekend. Check tires regularly to ensure that the tire tread is above 2/23 of an inch. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. The owner took the van to be inspected during the visit. Add the date of inspection to your calendar with a reminder set of when the inspection is due. Safe Sleep Checks: Staff must follow the safe sleep policy at all times to help keep infants safe. Safe sleep checks must be completed every 15 minutes to check skin color, rise/fall of chest, face is not covered, etc. The checks must be documented on a safe sleep chart and maintained a minimum of thirty days. Two children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. You stated that the lead teacher was on the field trip with the school age children. We discussed that it is imperative that any staff that work with infants understands how to complete sleep charts. We discussed that after staff notate the time on the dry erase board, get the sleep charts and set a timer for 15 minutes to notify when it is time to document. Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. You stated that the teacher has taken the final training and was unable to log in and print the certificate. Use your staff worksheets and create a “tickler” to send a reminder to your phone or email several months before CPR/First Aid expires to ensure you register for a class before your certifications expire. You can also use it to track due dates for items that expire such as Criminal Background Checks, ITS/SIDS Training, Health & Safety Training, etc. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: Natural Learning Initiative: Time outdoors is a critical tool for supporting mental and physical health in young children. Adoption of best practices for outdoor play and learning spaces is critical to increase daily time spent outside. The four components of this project include: 1. Relaunch a supportive network for outdoor play and learning environments in North Carolina; 2. Research nature-based programs and spaces and develop a plan to embed these in licensed childcare in North Carolina; 3. Motivate and train early educators and specialists to promote best practices and increase time in outdoor play and learning in NC childcare facilities; 4. Increase time outdoors playing and learning in NC family child care homes through professional development and technical assistance. Today, we discussed ways to create a natural learning environment in the outdoor spaces. Some of the ideas included a music wall made from kitchen accessories, a garden that the children can help plant, a science center, and stepping stone made from logs. I encourage you to check out naturallearning.org to find resources and professional development options for ways to enhance your outdoor learning environments. 5 Steps to Taking Care of Yourself: Hectic schedules can drain your energy and keep you so busy that you often forget to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Take a moment to stop and think about what you need to do to enable you to perform at your best. So what does self-care look like, and what can you do? 1. Tell yourself that you do matter, and because you matter, it is important to spend time and energy on helping yourself feel better. 2. Be extra nice to yourself. Do things you enjoy that help you relax and unwind. 3. Be patient with yourself. Accept that you will make mistakes and know that you can’t please everyone. Know that things will get better, even if it takes a while. 4. Invest in yourself! Follow your dreams! Say no to situations or people that you know could trigger you in a negative way. Self-care means that you protect yourself so you can build a stronger future self. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/1/2024 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 7/1/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 460 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 05:00 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/17/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 3/11/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/6/23 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty six percent as of 6/18/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/18/24 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in tummy time, napping, and feeding routines. Toddlers were creating Fourth of July footprint artwork. School age children were on a field trip to Rollerland. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of macaroni and cheese, green beans, mixed fruit, WW bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A lesson plan was not available for review in space #6. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. .0803(12) 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. Two infants were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. .0606(g) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. .1002(b) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1416 School-age program did not have a plan of off premise activities or did not include in the plan the location, purpose, time and date, person in charge, and telephone number or how to contact person in charge. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. .2509(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. .1102(a) 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 7/15/24, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 WITH THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATION (S): Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Benadryl on file without written permission from the parent. A child enrolled in space #3 had an Epi-Pen and Ventolin HFA inhaler on file with written permission from the parent that expired 4/24/24. You stated that you the child with the Epi-Pen and Benadryl enrolled recently and received the medical action plan and thought you had received the permission forms. Check medication forms each month to ensure that new authorization is completed before it expires. Transportation Safety: Transporting children in child care is a high-risk activity. You and parents of children enrolled in your care need to be aware that transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and all passengers. Any time children are transported there is a potential for problems to occur. Careful planning reduces the risk of harm or injury to children and reduces the liability for child care operators. The summer camp plan of activities did not include the person in charge and how to contact the person in charge. You created a summer camp calendar with location, purpose, time and date and each parent was given a copy. Add the person in charge and how to contact them and post and give to the parents. Tire tread, the ribbed pattern on a tire that makes contact with the road, is important for a vehicle's safety, performance, and efficiency. Tread provides friction, which helps with acceleration, braking, and turning. It also helps keep a vehicle connected to the road and provides traction, which is especially important in dangerous conditions like rain or snow. The tire tread of two (2) tires on the Ford van’s passenger side and two (2) tires on the Dodge van’s passenger side was less than 2/32 of an inch. I used a penny to check the depth of the tires and the tread was flush with Lincoln’s head or below on all four tires. You stated that you will have the tires replaced this weekend. Check tires regularly to ensure that the tire tread is above 2/23 of an inch. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. The Dodge van used to transport children had an expiration date of vehicle registration of 6/30/24. The owner took the van to be inspected during the visit. Add the date of inspection to your calendar with a reminder set of when the inspection is due. Safe Sleep Checks: Staff must follow the safe sleep policy at all times to help keep infants safe. Safe sleep checks must be completed every 15 minutes to check skin color, rise/fall of chest, face is not covered, etc. The checks must be documented on a safe sleep chart and maintained a minimum of thirty days. Two children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. You stated that the lead teacher was on the field trip with the school age children. We discussed that it is imperative that any staff that work with infants understands how to complete sleep charts. We discussed that after staff notate the time on the dry erase board, get the sleep charts and set a timer for 15 minutes to notify when it is time to document. Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. A staff member hired on 7/5/22 did not complete Health & Safety Training. You stated that the teacher has taken the final training and was unable to log in and print the certificate. Use your staff worksheets and create a “tickler” to send a reminder to your phone or email several months before CPR/First Aid expires to ensure you register for a class before your certifications expire. You can also use it to track due dates for items that expire such as Criminal Background Checks, ITS/SIDS Training, Health & Safety Training, etc. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: Natural Learning Initiative: Time outdoors is a critical tool for supporting mental and physical health in young children. Adoption of best practices for outdoor play and learning spaces is critical to increase daily time spent outside. The four components of this project include: 1. Relaunch a supportive network for outdoor play and learning environments in North Carolina; 2. Research nature-based programs and spaces and develop a plan to embed these in licensed childcare in North Carolina; 3. Motivate and train early educators and specialists to promote best practices and increase time in outdoor play and learning in NC childcare facilities; 4. Increase time outdoors playing and learning in NC family child care homes through professional development and technical assistance. Today, we discussed ways to create a natural learning environment in the outdoor spaces. Some of the ideas included a music wall made from kitchen accessories, a garden that the children can help plant, a science center, and stepping stone made from logs. I encourage you to check out naturallearning.org to find resources and professional development options for ways to enhance your outdoor learning environments. 5 Steps to Taking Care of Yourself: Hectic schedules can drain your energy and keep you so busy that you often forget to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Take a moment to stop and think about what you need to do to enable you to perform at your best. So what does self-care look like, and what can you do? 1. Tell yourself that you do matter, and because you matter, it is important to spend time and energy on helping yourself feel better. 2. Be extra nice to yourself. Do things you enjoy that help you relax and unwind. 3. Be patient with yourself. Accept that you will make mistakes and know that you can’t please everyone. Know that things will get better, even if it takes a while. 4. Invest in yourself! Follow your dreams! Say no to situations or people that you know could trigger you in a negative way. Self-care means that you protect yourself so you can build a stronger future self. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/29/2024 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 1/29/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 312 Time In: 09:38 AM Time Out: 02:50 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/17/23. The sanitation inspection was completed on 7/10/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/6/23. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 1/29/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 1/29/24 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me, I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in free play on the carpet and napping. Toddlers were playing with playdough and in the water table. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. 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 menu reflected lunch included grilled cheese, corn, oranges, and milk. The children were served grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. A fire drill for the month of July 2023 was not documented. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In outdoor space #2, sharp branches were extending out of a tree stump. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #4b had an Epi Pen on file with written permission from the parent that expired 9/28/23. .0803(12) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. An emergency drill was completed on 5/9/23 and the following emergency drill was completed on 9/14/23. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1834 Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services. A child enrolled in space #4a had a medical action plan for food allergy dated 7/5/22. .0801(b) 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 2/12/24, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with violations: Medication: Medicines can be crucial to the health and wellness of children. They can also be very dangerous if the wrong type or wrong amount is given to the wrong person or at the wrong time. A medical action plan is required for children that need emergency medication, the form needs to be completed by the parent or a health care professional. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. Medication permission forms are valid for a defined length of time and must be updated, if needed. A child enrolled in space #4b had an Epi Pen on file with written permission from the parent that expired 9/28/23. We discussed that it would be helpful to write the expiration date of the medication and the expiration date of the written permission form on the front of the bin that the medication is stored in. This will be a visual that is reviewed frequently and will remind you in advance of expiration dates. A child enrolled in space #4a had a medical action plan for food allergy dated 7/5/22. We discussed that it would be helpful to update medical action forms with annual update forms to ensure that they are updated each year. You stated that will be creating a visual that reflects medication form expiration dates to be placed in the classrooms. We also discussed adding checking medications to your monthly checklists. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste and their sense of motion. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. In outdoor space #2, sharp branches were extending out of a tree stump. We discussed that these sharp branches are located where children can run into them and impale themselves or cut their hands when trying to climb on the stump. Have these sharp branches trimmed off the stump. Check the playgrounds each morning and use the playground inspection form to document unsafe items that need to be fixed. Emergency Drills: You must conduct either a shelter-in-place or a lockdown drill every three months. An emergency drill was completed on 5/9/23 and the following emergency drill was completed on 9/14/23. We discussed that it would be beneficial to conduct an emergency drill and playground inspection each month on the same day that a fire drill is completed. Fire drills must be conducted each month. A fire drill for the month of July 2023 was not documented. You stated that forgot to document the July fire drill. We discussed that it would be helpful to place the emergency drill log and playground inspection form on a clipboard that can be carried outside. Consider marking your calendar as a reminder of when drills are due and document immediately after the drill. Menu Substitutions: Planning the menu in advance and posting the current menu, to include any substitutions, is essential in providing a variety of foods for proper nutrition. Parents/guardians need to be informed about food served in the facility to know how to complement it with the food they serve at home. Although noted food substitutions were of comparable food value; however, the substitutions were not recorded on the menu. The menu reflected lunch included grilled cheese, corn, oranges, and milk. The children were served grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. I discussed with the administrator that changes to the menu should be made prior to the meal being served and encouraged that substitutions be made early morning ensuring that staff can update all menus in the kitchen and classrooms. We also discussed that menus need to be posted where it can be seen by parents and food preparation staff when food is prepared or provided by the center, and it would be easier to only have to change two menus rather than a menu in each classroom. You stated that you are in the process of hiring a full-time cook and will train them on changing the menu before serving food. Check the menus each morning and ensure that they reflect the food to be served. Additional Comments: Transitions: One of the key ways to manage transition time effectively is to plan ahead. This means thinking about your daily schedule and identifying the times when you will need to transition your students from one activity to the next. It’s a good idea to make a visual schedule that you can display for your students, so they know what to expect and can prepare for the transitions. This can help to reduce anxiety and prevent behavior problems during transition time. Another important tip for managing transition time is to give your students clear and consistent instructions. This means letting them know what they need to do and how they need to do it. In addition to giving clear instructions, it’s also important to provide a structure and routine for transition time. This means having a set of steps that your students can follow each time they need to transition. For example, you might have a step-by-step routine that includes cleaning up the current activity, lining up at the door, and walking to the next activity. Having a structured routine can help to reduce confusion and make transition time more efficient and effective. Today, we discussed ways to transition inside and complete handwashing before the children touch the toys when a substitute is working in a classroom. One caregiver could bring in half of the class to wash their hands or one caregiver can engage the children on the carpet, while the second caregiver assists with handwashing. Clear communication between the staff members working together in planning the day will make transitions easier. Chapter 9: Child Care Rules have been updated as of 1/1/2024. These include changes that have been made in December 2023 and January 2024. These rules can be found on the Division’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information. It would be helpful to download a copy of the rules to your desktop to access quickly and use the find feature to search for the subject. Transition Back To Rated License Assessments and Cohorts: To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your child care center was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 4/1/2023 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ITERSR by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Craven Smart Start. You can request and complete an ITERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. Look at options to help staff earn the NC Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) – EDU 119, Early Educator Certification, the new NCECC Equivalency Exam option available on Moodle. Encourage staff to enroll in additional college coursework to meet or increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/. The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ITERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/29/2024 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 1/29/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 312 Time In: 09:38 AM Time Out: 02:50 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/17/23. The sanitation inspection was completed on 7/10/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/6/23. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 1/29/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 1/29/24 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me, I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in free play on the carpet and napping. Toddlers were playing with playdough and in the water table. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. 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 menu reflected lunch included grilled cheese, corn, oranges, and milk. The children were served grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. A fire drill for the month of July 2023 was not documented. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In outdoor space #2, sharp branches were extending out of a tree stump. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #4b had an Epi Pen on file with written permission from the parent that expired 9/28/23. .0803(12) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. An emergency drill was completed on 5/9/23 and the following emergency drill was completed on 9/14/23. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1834 Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services. A child enrolled in space #4a had a medical action plan for food allergy dated 7/5/22. .0801(b) 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 2/12/24, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with violations: Medication: Medicines can be crucial to the health and wellness of children. They can also be very dangerous if the wrong type or wrong amount is given to the wrong person or at the wrong time. A medical action plan is required for children that need emergency medication, the form needs to be completed by the parent or a health care professional. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. Medication permission forms are valid for a defined length of time and must be updated, if needed. A child enrolled in space #4b had an Epi Pen on file with written permission from the parent that expired 9/28/23. We discussed that it would be helpful to write the expiration date of the medication and the expiration date of the written permission form on the front of the bin that the medication is stored in. This will be a visual that is reviewed frequently and will remind you in advance of expiration dates. A child enrolled in space #4a had a medical action plan for food allergy dated 7/5/22. We discussed that it would be helpful to update medical action forms with annual update forms to ensure that they are updated each year. You stated that will be creating a visual that reflects medication form expiration dates to be placed in the classrooms. We also discussed adding checking medications to your monthly checklists. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste and their sense of motion. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. In outdoor space #2, sharp branches were extending out of a tree stump. We discussed that these sharp branches are located where children can run into them and impale themselves or cut their hands when trying to climb on the stump. Have these sharp branches trimmed off the stump. Check the playgrounds each morning and use the playground inspection form to document unsafe items that need to be fixed. Emergency Drills: You must conduct either a shelter-in-place or a lockdown drill every three months. An emergency drill was completed on 5/9/23 and the following emergency drill was completed on 9/14/23. We discussed that it would be beneficial to conduct an emergency drill and playground inspection each month on the same day that a fire drill is completed. Fire drills must be conducted each month. A fire drill for the month of July 2023 was not documented. You stated that forgot to document the July fire drill. We discussed that it would be helpful to place the emergency drill log and playground inspection form on a clipboard that can be carried outside. Consider marking your calendar as a reminder of when drills are due and document immediately after the drill. Menu Substitutions: Planning the menu in advance and posting the current menu, to include any substitutions, is essential in providing a variety of foods for proper nutrition. Parents/guardians need to be informed about food served in the facility to know how to complement it with the food they serve at home. Although noted food substitutions were of comparable food value; however, the substitutions were not recorded on the menu. The menu reflected lunch included grilled cheese, corn, oranges, and milk. The children were served grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. I discussed with the administrator that changes to the menu should be made prior to the meal being served and encouraged that substitutions be made early morning ensuring that staff can update all menus in the kitchen and classrooms. We also discussed that menus need to be posted where it can be seen by parents and food preparation staff when food is prepared or provided by the center, and it would be easier to only have to change two menus rather than a menu in each classroom. You stated that you are in the process of hiring a full-time cook and will train them on changing the menu before serving food. Check the menus each morning and ensure that they reflect the food to be served. Additional Comments: Transitions: One of the key ways to manage transition time effectively is to plan ahead. This means thinking about your daily schedule and identifying the times when you will need to transition your students from one activity to the next. It’s a good idea to make a visual schedule that you can display for your students, so they know what to expect and can prepare for the transitions. This can help to reduce anxiety and prevent behavior problems during transition time. Another important tip for managing transition time is to give your students clear and consistent instructions. This means letting them know what they need to do and how they need to do it. In addition to giving clear instructions, it’s also important to provide a structure and routine for transition time. This means having a set of steps that your students can follow each time they need to transition. For example, you might have a step-by-step routine that includes cleaning up the current activity, lining up at the door, and walking to the next activity. Having a structured routine can help to reduce confusion and make transition time more efficient and effective. Today, we discussed ways to transition inside and complete handwashing before the children touch the toys when a substitute is working in a classroom. One caregiver could bring in half of the class to wash their hands or one caregiver can engage the children on the carpet, while the second caregiver assists with handwashing. Clear communication between the staff members working together in planning the day will make transitions easier. Chapter 9: Child Care Rules have been updated as of 1/1/2024. These include changes that have been made in December 2023 and January 2024. These rules can be found on the Division’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information. It would be helpful to download a copy of the rules to your desktop to access quickly and use the find feature to search for the subject. Transition Back To Rated License Assessments and Cohorts: To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your child care center was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 4/1/2023 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ITERSR by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Craven Smart Start. You can request and complete an ITERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. Look at options to help staff earn the NC Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) – EDU 119, Early Educator Certification, the new NCECC Equivalency Exam option available on Moodle. Encourage staff to enroll in additional college coursework to meet or increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/. The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ITERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 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: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/29/2024 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 1/29/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 312 Time In: 09:38 AM Time Out: 02:50 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 7/17/23. The sanitation inspection was completed on 7/10/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/6/23. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 1/29/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 1/29/24 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me, I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in free play on the carpet and napping. Toddlers were playing with playdough and in the water table. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. 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 menu reflected lunch included grilled cheese, corn, oranges, and milk. The children were served grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. A fire drill for the month of July 2023 was not documented. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In outdoor space #2, sharp branches were extending out of a tree stump. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space #4b had an Epi Pen on file with written permission from the parent that expired 9/28/23. .0803(12) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. An emergency drill was completed on 5/9/23 and the following emergency drill was completed on 9/14/23. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1834 Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services. A child enrolled in space #4a had a medical action plan for food allergy dated 7/5/22. .0801(b) 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 2/12/24, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 with violations: Medication: Medicines can be crucial to the health and wellness of children. They can also be very dangerous if the wrong type or wrong amount is given to the wrong person or at the wrong time. A medical action plan is required for children that need emergency medication, the form needs to be completed by the parent or a health care professional. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. Medication permission forms are valid for a defined length of time and must be updated, if needed. A child enrolled in space #4b had an Epi Pen on file with written permission from the parent that expired 9/28/23. We discussed that it would be helpful to write the expiration date of the medication and the expiration date of the written permission form on the front of the bin that the medication is stored in. This will be a visual that is reviewed frequently and will remind you in advance of expiration dates. A child enrolled in space #4a had a medical action plan for food allergy dated 7/5/22. We discussed that it would be helpful to update medical action forms with annual update forms to ensure that they are updated each year. You stated that will be creating a visual that reflects medication form expiration dates to be placed in the classrooms. We also discussed adding checking medications to your monthly checklists. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste and their sense of motion. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. In outdoor space #2, sharp branches were extending out of a tree stump. We discussed that these sharp branches are located where children can run into them and impale themselves or cut their hands when trying to climb on the stump. Have these sharp branches trimmed off the stump. Check the playgrounds each morning and use the playground inspection form to document unsafe items that need to be fixed. Emergency Drills: You must conduct either a shelter-in-place or a lockdown drill every three months. An emergency drill was completed on 5/9/23 and the following emergency drill was completed on 9/14/23. We discussed that it would be beneficial to conduct an emergency drill and playground inspection each month on the same day that a fire drill is completed. Fire drills must be conducted each month. A fire drill for the month of July 2023 was not documented. You stated that forgot to document the July fire drill. We discussed that it would be helpful to place the emergency drill log and playground inspection form on a clipboard that can be carried outside. Consider marking your calendar as a reminder of when drills are due and document immediately after the drill. Menu Substitutions: Planning the menu in advance and posting the current menu, to include any substitutions, is essential in providing a variety of foods for proper nutrition. Parents/guardians need to be informed about food served in the facility to know how to complement it with the food they serve at home. Although noted food substitutions were of comparable food value; however, the substitutions were not recorded on the menu. The menu reflected lunch included grilled cheese, corn, oranges, and milk. The children were served grilled cheese, baked beans, oranges, and milk. I discussed with the administrator that changes to the menu should be made prior to the meal being served and encouraged that substitutions be made early morning ensuring that staff can update all menus in the kitchen and classrooms. We also discussed that menus need to be posted where it can be seen by parents and food preparation staff when food is prepared or provided by the center, and it would be easier to only have to change two menus rather than a menu in each classroom. You stated that you are in the process of hiring a full-time cook and will train them on changing the menu before serving food. Check the menus each morning and ensure that they reflect the food to be served. Additional Comments: Transitions: One of the key ways to manage transition time effectively is to plan ahead. This means thinking about your daily schedule and identifying the times when you will need to transition your students from one activity to the next. It’s a good idea to make a visual schedule that you can display for your students, so they know what to expect and can prepare for the transitions. This can help to reduce anxiety and prevent behavior problems during transition time. Another important tip for managing transition time is to give your students clear and consistent instructions. This means letting them know what they need to do and how they need to do it. In addition to giving clear instructions, it’s also important to provide a structure and routine for transition time. This means having a set of steps that your students can follow each time they need to transition. For example, you might have a step-by-step routine that includes cleaning up the current activity, lining up at the door, and walking to the next activity. Having a structured routine can help to reduce confusion and make transition time more efficient and effective. Today, we discussed ways to transition inside and complete handwashing before the children touch the toys when a substitute is working in a classroom. One caregiver could bring in half of the class to wash their hands or one caregiver can engage the children on the carpet, while the second caregiver assists with handwashing. Clear communication between the staff members working together in planning the day will make transitions easier. Chapter 9: Child Care Rules have been updated as of 1/1/2024. These include changes that have been made in December 2023 and January 2024. These rules can be found on the Division’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information. It would be helpful to download a copy of the rules to your desktop to access quickly and use the find feature to search for the subject. Transition Back To Rated License Assessments and Cohorts: To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your child care center was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 4/1/2023 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ITERSR by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Craven Smart Start. You can request and complete an ITERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. Look at options to help staff earn the NC Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) – EDU 119, Early Educator Certification, the new NCECC Equivalency Exam option available on Moodle. Encourage staff to enroll in additional college coursework to meet or increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/. The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ITERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 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 .0803 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/17/2023 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 7/17/2023 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 480 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 05:00 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 8/17/22. The sanitation inspection was completed 7/10/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 8/15/22 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 7/14/23. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 7/14/23 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in tummy time, napping, and feeding routines. Toddlers were singing and dancing on the carpet. School age children were playing with kinetic sand and manipulatives at the tables. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of macaroni and cheese, green beans, oranges, WW bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. A child enrolled in space #2 had a tube of A&D ointment on file without written permission from the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In space #2, a written permission form for an EpiPen was not signed by the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space 4a had Aquaphor on file with written permission from the parent that expired 12/1/22. .0803(12) 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. Children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. .0606(g) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Written permission for field trips in June and July were documented on a blanket permission form. .1003(i)(j) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Staff members hired on 7/5/22, 3/22/22, 7/26/21, and 7/8/19 did not complete health and trainings within one year of hire. .1102(a) 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 7/31/23, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 WITH THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATION (S): Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #2 had a tube of A&D ointment on file without written permission from the parent. A child enrolled in space 4a had Aquaphor on file with written permission from the parent that expired 12/1/22. In space #2, a written permission form for an EpiPen was not signed by the parent. We discussed the importance of having someone that oversees accepting medication to ensure that correct documentation is on file. You stated that you would be the person to receive medication and ensure that the forms are complete and correct. We reviewed the Medication Flyer during the visit that I shared with you during the medication training. Use this flyer when you are accepting medication. Transportation Safety: Child care providers must place emphasis on safeguarding each child and ensuring that staff are able to handle emergencies. Injuries are more likely to occur when a child’s surroundings or routine changes. Activities outside the facility may pose increased risk for injury. When children are excited or busy playing in unfamiliar areas, they are more likely to forget safety measures unless they are closely supervised at all times. Before transporting children, parental permission must be obtained. Written permission for field trips in June and July were documented on a blanket permission form. We discussed that field trips are not routine transportation and that written permission for each field trip would need to have when and where the child will be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. You stated that you will create a permission form that will include the required information for the rest of the field trips for the summer. Have parents sign the permission forms before going on any more field trips. Safe Sleep Checks: The operator must document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger as described in the safe sleep policy on file for the infant and maintain the documentation for a minimum of one month. Children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. You stated that the lead teacher was out today which makes the safe sleep charts for the week. We discussed that it would be helpful to ensure that safe sleep charts are ready on Friday afternoons in case a substitute will be in the classroom. Health & Safety Training: Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. Free H&S Training developed specifically for North Carolina is available in Moodle on the DCDEE website. Other options may be used if they are approved by DCDEE. Complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment at www.preventchildabusenc.org. (Any approved training related to Child Maltreatment can be used to meet this topic area for the five-year cycle.) Staff members hired on 7/5/22, 3/22/22, 7/26/21, and 7/8/19 did not complete health and trainings within one year of hire. We discussed the specific trainings that each staff member was missing. Use the Health & Safety Training Log to document and track all H&S Training and attach certificate for each training topic area to log. These trainings can also be used to meet annual on-going training requirements. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: Rated License: Currently this center operates with a 4 Star License, issued January 9, 2020. The hold harmless in star rating for education will continue through 6/30/2024. All programs can voluntarily request Star Rating Assessment now to take advantage of the hold harmless period. Per our discussion, your facility is in Cohort 2 and your assessment year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26. I shared with you that NCRLAP.org has many resources available to review as you prepare for the assessment. Fire inspections should be completed annually and within 12 months of the previous inspection. The last fire inspection was dated for 8/15/22. It would be helpful to set a reminder in your calendar to request a fire inspection in advance so that they are able to schedule an inspection before 12 months has passed. Send me a copy of the fire inspection once it is completed. North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam The North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam is a new pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential. Applicants who achieve a score of 80% or higher on the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam earn the new North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) via its online Moodle Training Portal at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE TYKES LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 25000579 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/17/2023 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 7/17/2023 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 480 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 05:00 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. K. Lewis, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/9/2020, earning 4 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parental involvement. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 8/17/22. The sanitation inspection was completed 7/10/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 8/15/22 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 7/14/23. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 7/14/23 and LSG ENTERPRISES, LLC was listed as current- active. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were engaged in tummy time, napping, and feeding routines. Toddlers were singing and dancing on the carpet. School age children were playing with kinetic sand and manipulatives at the tables. The outdoor spaces were observed to have stationary climbers, basketball goal, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of macaroni and cheese, green beans, oranges, WW bread, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. A child enrolled in space #2 had a tube of A&D ointment on file without written permission from the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In space #2, a written permission form for an EpiPen was not signed by the parent. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A child enrolled in space 4a had Aquaphor on file with written permission from the parent that expired 12/1/22. .0803(12) 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. Children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. .0606(g) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Written permission for field trips in June and July were documented on a blanket permission form. .1003(i)(j) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Staff members hired on 7/5/22, 3/22/22, 7/26/21, and 7/8/19 did not complete health and trainings within one year of hire. .1102(a) 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 7/31/23, 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: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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 WITH THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATION (S): Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. A child enrolled in space #2 had a tube of A&D ointment on file without written permission from the parent. A child enrolled in space 4a had Aquaphor on file with written permission from the parent that expired 12/1/22. In space #2, a written permission form for an EpiPen was not signed by the parent. We discussed the importance of having someone that oversees accepting medication to ensure that correct documentation is on file. You stated that you would be the person to receive medication and ensure that the forms are complete and correct. We reviewed the Medication Flyer during the visit that I shared with you during the medication training. Use this flyer when you are accepting medication. Transportation Safety: Child care providers must place emphasis on safeguarding each child and ensuring that staff are able to handle emergencies. Injuries are more likely to occur when a child’s surroundings or routine changes. Activities outside the facility may pose increased risk for injury. When children are excited or busy playing in unfamiliar areas, they are more likely to forget safety measures unless they are closely supervised at all times. Before transporting children, parental permission must be obtained. Written permission for field trips in June and July were documented on a blanket permission form. We discussed that field trips are not routine transportation and that written permission for each field trip would need to have when and where the child will be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. You stated that you will create a permission form that will include the required information for the rest of the field trips for the summer. Have parents sign the permission forms before going on any more field trips. Safe Sleep Checks: The operator must document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger as described in the safe sleep policy on file for the infant and maintain the documentation for a minimum of one month. Children were observed sleeping in space #1 and documentation of visual sleep checks was not available for review. You stated that the lead teacher was out today which makes the safe sleep charts for the week. We discussed that it would be helpful to ensure that safe sleep charts are ready on Friday afternoons in case a substitute will be in the classroom. Health & Safety Training: Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. New staff are required to complete H&S Training within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. Free H&S Training developed specifically for North Carolina is available in Moodle on the DCDEE website. Other options may be used if they are approved by DCDEE. Complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment at www.preventchildabusenc.org. (Any approved training related to Child Maltreatment can be used to meet this topic area for the five-year cycle.) Staff members hired on 7/5/22, 3/22/22, 7/26/21, and 7/8/19 did not complete health and trainings within one year of hire. We discussed the specific trainings that each staff member was missing. Use the Health & Safety Training Log to document and track all H&S Training and attach certificate for each training topic area to log. These trainings can also be used to meet annual on-going training requirements. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: Rated License: Currently this center operates with a 4 Star License, issued January 9, 2020. The hold harmless in star rating for education will continue through 6/30/2024. All programs can voluntarily request Star Rating Assessment now to take advantage of the hold harmless period. Per our discussion, your facility is in Cohort 2 and your assessment year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26. I shared with you that NCRLAP.org has many resources available to review as you prepare for the assessment. Fire inspections should be completed annually and within 12 months of the previous inspection. The last fire inspection was dated for 8/15/22. It would be helpful to set a reminder in your calendar to request a fire inspection in advance so that they are able to schedule an inspection before 12 months has passed. Send me a copy of the fire inspection once it is completed. North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam The North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam is a new pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential. Applicants who achieve a score of 80% or higher on the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam earn the new North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) via its online Moodle Training Portal at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@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