Cathy'S Learn AND Grow Daycare Center

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: CATHY'S LEARN AND GROW DAYCARE CENTER Facility ID: 91000311 Consultant: EMILY HARGROVE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/22/2026 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 1/22/2026 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 195 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced he purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements during an Annual Compliance visit. This facility is owned and operated by Cathy’s Learn & Grow Daycare Center, LLC. You, Shemelia Branch was present and assisted with today's visit. This program currently operates with a Three-star License issued September 5, 2024. The most current fire inspection completed was on January 15, 2026, and was approved for daytime and night care. The most current sanitation inspection was completed on December 2, 2025, earning a "Superior" classification. The last annual compliance visit was conducted February 24, 2025. Nine children were present ranging (1) one to (4) four years of age. Children were observed playing in free choice centers, eating AM snack, circle time, outdoor play, diapering, handwashing and toiletings procedures and eating lunch. AM snack consisted of Graham crackers and milk. Lunch consisted of Fish sticks, green beans, applesauce, bread, and milk. Caregivers interacted with children in a positive and nurturing manner. The following violation was documented today. Violation Number Comment Rule 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Provider has not linked childcare staff to ABCMS roster. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) The violations documented above must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance can be mailed or emailed to me and must be received by February 5, 2026. If mailing, you must submit two (2) signed and dated copies. My mailing and email addresses are noted at the bottom. The letter of compliance must detail how you corrected the violation. Please be aware any written information you submit regarding the correction of the violation is legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all submitted information is accurate and truthful. If it is determined that submitted information was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all applicable laws and rules. The best way to do so is to periodically review the child care laws and rules. The current rule book dated July 1, 2023, is available at the DCDEE website https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. There are also modules reviewing the new Child Care Rules available on Moodle, which can be found on the Division website. I recommend you frequently click the “What’s New” tab to stay informed of all updates on the DCDEE website. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION: Compliance History: Prior to today's visit, this facility has maintained an 18-month compliance score of 98%. PROGRAM RECORDS: Fire Drills/Emergency Drills, Fire inspection, Sanitation report, First Aid/CPR Poster, Playground Outdoor Inspections, EMC Plan and were reviewed and current. Fire Inspection: I reminded you that you have to submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. You submitted the fire inspection report during today's visit. SANITATION: Sanitation inspection report was submitted during the visit. CHILDREN AND STAFF RECORDS: Ten percent (10%) or more of children records were monitored. Children records reviewed were in compliance. You should review other children’s files not monitored to ensure compliance for the same information. Ten percent (10%) or more of staff files were monitored. Staff records reviewed were not in compliance. Staff should review files that were not monitored to ensure compliance. TRANSPORTATION: You stated you do not provide transportation. MEDICATION: You stated you do not administer medication. OWNER INFORMATION: This facility is owned by Cathy’s Learn & Grow Daycare Center, LLC. This LLC is current and active per the information reflected on the NC Secretary of State’s website. Ensure the LLC for this child care center remains current and active. If not, this can impact the ownership of this facility. Technical Assistance/Consultation/Reminders Specific to Today’s Visit: ABCMS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK PORTAL: You completed the ABCMS Moodle training and I verified your certificate. You are currently trying to access the facilities’ ABCMS portal. I reviewed and emailed you the ABCMS Provider Portal Technical Assistance documents. I suggested you contact the Criminal Background Check help desk at 919-814-6401. You stated you would call this afternoon. QRIS: I discussed with you the status of preparing for QRIS. You stated to me that you are reviewing information for Pathway 2 and gathering information. RESOURCES: • The most current provider documents/ forms, checklists, resources related to child care, MOODLE trainings, and new child care requirements can be found on the Division of Child Development and Early Education website. https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ • NCRLAP: https://NCRLAP.org • NC Child Care Health & Safety Resource Center www.healthychildcare.unc.edu * FVW Smart Start Please feel free to contact me at (252) 214-8454 or email at emily.hargrove@dhhs.nc.gov for questions and assistance. If needed my mailing address is PO Box 1974, Henderson NC 27536. You may also contact Susan Fuller, Licensing Supervisor at (252) 373-9809. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: CATHY'S LEARN AND GROW DAYCARE CENTER Facility ID: 91000311 Consultant: RAMIE DOLL Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/17/2024 Number Present: 11 Completed Date: 4/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a first temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued March 3, 2024. The temporary license is valid through September 3, 2024. This facility is owned and operated by Cathy’s Learn & Grow Daycare Center, LLC. You, S.Branch, are serving as this facility’s administrator and were present for the visit today. All rooms currently being used for child care were monitored today. You are using a total of two rooms for child care. Room 1 is used and set up to care for preschool and school aged children. Room 2 is used and set up to care for infants and toddler aged children. The children in various groups were observed playing with toys made available, interacting with staff, completing daily routines such being fed and hand washing. The children in both groups played outdoors within the fenced play area today. There is no stationary equipment at this facility. You have loose parts such as balls and jump ropes for the children to use. You and the preschool aged children played relay games today. No school-aged children were present during the visit. You completed the staff and training worksheet, and it was reviewed today. I added your daughter, M.Branch, to the worksheet as you stated she is working as a volunteer and is not counted in the staff/child ratio. She was observed assisting you today in Room 2 and also cooked the meals today. I completed a review all current staff records for the completion of CPR and First Aid, Criminal Background Check Qualification letters, current ITS-SIDS training, health questionnaires, emergency information, staff medical assessments, and TB skin test/TB screening forms, orientation training, and the completion of the application. As staff are hired, ensure to include their information on staff on the worksheet. Continue to update staff information on the staff and training worksheet as information changes, etc. Three children’s records were also monitored, and all required information was observed on file and available for review. Ensure medical exams and immunization records are completed and on file within a child’s first 30 days of enrollment. For school aged children, only immunization records are due within the first 30 days of enrollment. If a medical exam has been completed within the last 12 months prior to enrollment, you can accept that medical exam. Required center program records were also monitored today. I reminded you to complete a fire drill this month and record the required information on the fire drill report form. When you conduct the drill, contact the fire alarm company and explain that you need your fire alarm system set to “test” mode for about 30 minutes so you can complete the fire drill. You were reminded to complete an Outdoor Playground Inspection for April as well. You can set a reminder on your phone or document to do a drill on your calendar. Overall attendance and enrollment were collected today. The attached space, capacity and enrollment worksheet reflects the enrollment and attendance information along with the staff that were present and caring for children today. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. A medical exam was completed May 25, 2021 for a staff member whose hire date was April 3, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Proof of a negative TB test was dated April 6, 2022 for a staff member whose hire date was April 3, 2024. .0701(a) 1831 At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. The child care provider assigned to care for infants has not completed ITS-SIDS training. This provider was present alone in Room 2 today caring for a total of four (4) children, two (2) of which were infants. .01102 (f) The above violations must be corrected immediately. Mail or email me a letter addressing the correction of the violations on or before May 1, 2024. We reviewed that you did not need to send me a copy of the staff’s medical assessment or TB skin test result; however, ensure copies are on file for review. You will submit a compliance letter addressing the correction of the violations. My contact information is listed below: Ramie Doll P.O. Box 1397 Elm City, NC 27822 ramie.doll@dhhs.nc.gov CORRECTION EXTENSION REQUEST: If you need an extension to correct the violations, you must email me a request regarding the extension. I must receive the request for the extension as soon as possible and I will then notify you if the extension is allowed. COMPLIANCE HISTORY: The compliance history for this facility will be reviewed after today’s visit. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. We reviewed that all facilities must maintain at least a 75% compliance history score over an eighteen-month time frame to be in good standing with DCDEE. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. OWNER INFORMATION: This facility is owned by Cathy’s Learn & Grow Daycare Center, LLC. This LLC is current and active per the information reflected on the NC Secretary of State’s website. Ensure the LLC for this child care center remains current and active. If not, this can impact the ownership of this facility. Technical Assistance/Consultation/Reminders Specific to Today’s Visit: STAFF RECORDS: Three (3) staff records were monitored today for specific information. Ensure staff complete the health and safety trainings within the first year of employment, including the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training and every five years thereafter. Maintain copies of certificates on file. If a staff member completed the health and safety trainings more than a year before their hire date, then they must complete the trainings within the first year of employment. Ensure all staff renew CPR and First Aid training prior to their renewal dates. Based on staff information, two (2) staff members have current CPR and First Aid training. You and one other staff member are the only two with current CPR and First Aid training. Continue to have staff complete training to count towards their on-going training and attach the certificates to the Record Of On-Going Training log. One staff member, whose hire date was April 3, 2024, had a medical exam on file, but the medical was completed May 25, 2021, more than twelve months before this staff member’s hire date. Proof of a negative TB skin test was dated April 6, 2022, for this same staff member. These were documented as violations today. This particular staff member, T.Howard, must obtain an updated medical exam and TB skin test to correct the violations. You have been using the staff records checklist and documenting when information was on file for staff as a method of ensuring information is on file as required. Continue use the staff records checklist as a resource. ITS-SIDS TRAINING: The staff member, T.Howard, that is assigned and was present caring for infants today was alone in Room 2. Ms. Howard completed Safe Sleep training via ProSolutions January 30, 2023. Safe Sleep training offered via ProSolutions cannot be counted as ITS-SIDS training. ITS-SIDS training must be completed with an agency such as the local Partnership for Children or with the Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center. This particular staff member must register and complete the appropriate ITS-SIDS training as soon as possible. Contact the Franklin/Granville/Vance Partnership or any Child Care Resource and Referral Agency to get Ms. Howard registered to complete the ITS-SIDS training as soon as possible. When asked, you do not have a current training calendar from the Franklin/Granville/Vance Partnership for Children. You must have a staff member with current ITS-SIDS training in the room caring for infants at all times. A staff member has 60 days to complete ITS-SIDS training, but someone must always be present in the room caring for infants with current ITS-SIDS training. I have checked area Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies to see when the next ITS-SIDS training is being offered but most are full or will not be offered until mid-May or early June. VOLUNTEERS: You stated your daughter is working as a volunteer but is not counted in the staff/child ratio and assists when needed. She assisted with cooking meals today. A file was available for review today. She cannot serve as a volunteer and be counted in the staff/child ratio. If she is ever counted in the staff/child ratio, she or any volunteer must have a current criminal background check qualification letter on file for review. A medical exam, completed within the last 12 months of serving as a volunteer, would also be required. RECORDS: Based on HIPPA requirements, staff medical exams, TB skin test information and health questionnaires must be kept confidential and separate from regular staff files. You can keep all staff medical information on file together but separate from their regular staff files. HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAININGS: Health and Safety training topics must be completed within the first year and every five years thereafter. The health and safety trainings are offered for free via DCDEE Moodle. Staff have to use their individual NCID and password to log into Moodle. 1. Go to the DCDEE website: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov and click on Provider, Training and Professional Development, DCDEE Moodle. OR go directly to the Moodle site - https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov 2. In the upper right corner click login and type in your individual NCID and password 3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see a search bar 4. Type in ”2024 CCDF health and safety in child care” 5. The training module will come up, click “self-enroll.” 6. Eight different trainings will show that you can take 7. A 9th training has been added regarding medication. Go back to the search bar and type 2024 Part 1: Medications in child care to access. 8. Reminder: print your training certificate upon completion and record onto your ongoing training log Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. The “Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse and Maltreatment” training must be completed within 90 days of hire and every five years. This training must be completed via the Prevent Child Abuse NC website: www.preventchildabusenc.org. Documentation of training must be kept on file for review. Complete the health and safety training record as found on the DCDEE website. EPR TRAINING: Contact the local Partnership or any Child Care Resource and Referral Agency regarding the next EPR training being offered. You completed EPR training via ProSolutions, which can not be counted as the required Emergency Preparedness and Response training for North Carolina. You have one (1) year from the issuance of the child care license, on or before March 4, 2025, to complete the EPR training. Once completed, you have four (4) months to complete the facility’s EPR plan. You stated you have been working on the facility’s EPR plan. Continue working on the plan and once completed, print and review the plan with all staff. Maintain records on file of the review with staff. The EPR plan must be reviewed annually and reviewed annually with all staff. PLAYGROUND SAFETY TRAINING: At least one (1) staff member must complete the four-hour Playground Safety training offered by any local Partnership for Children. You completed a one (1) hour Playground Safety training that was offered online by SafeGard. This particular training will not count as the Playground Safety training required based on NC Child Care requirements. SPECIALIZED TRAININGS: I will also seek training information via local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies for ITS-SIDS, EPR training, and Playground Safety training. I will forward any information I find pertaining to these trainings; however, you continue to also search for these trainings online via the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. CHILDREN’S RECORDS: Three children’s records were reviewed today, and all required information was on file and on file within the required time frame. Ensure all children’s information is up to date and the required information is completed and on file as required. Continue to track when medical exams are due for children to ensure the exams are completed and on file within the first thirty days of enrollment. A medical for a child can be accepted if completed within the last twelve months of the enrollment date for a child. You must have a copy of the medical exam on file for review. OUTDOOR ENVIROMENT: The outdoor environment was monitored today. No equipment has been added since the temporary license was issued. Complete the Outdoor Playground Inspection each month and maintain on file for review. Continue to check the wooden fence for any protruding nails. No nails were observed protruding out of the wooden fence today. Ensure the grass continues to be kept cut. SANITATION: We discussed contacting your local Environmental Health Specialist regarding diaper changing approval for Room 1 since you have a two (2) year old present in diapers in this space. You will need proper approval from the EHS to ensure you are properly diapering. Room 1 is equipped with two (2) bathroom areas. You stated you will contact your local EHS about diapering and will contact me once you have contacted EHS with an outcome. GROUPING OF CHILDREN: We reviewed proper grouping of children based on ages. We reviewed that infants and one year old children can be routinely grouped together and one-year olds and two-year-olds can be grouped together, but infants and twos can not be grouped together nor can one-year olds and three-year-olds, except for the first and last operating hour of the day, provided the staff/child ratio is in compliance based on the age of the youngest child in the group. Proper grouping of children was observed today. MEDICATION: When asked, you are not currently administering any medication to any children. You stated the only medication you will accept is medication used for emergencies such as asthma or allergies. TRANSPORTATION: When asked, you do not offer transportation as a service. You stated the school aged children ride the bus to and from school each day. RATED LICENSE ASSESSMENT: The Application for Assessment for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Application for the Rated License will both be provided and completed during this facility’s next temporary time period visit. Education Standards: WORKS is a self-service applicant portal that will be used by an individual applicant to register and maintain their workforce information to support education requirements. The WORKS portal is available online and requires the user to maintain an individual North Carolina Identity Management (NCID) username and password. Electronic official transcripts can be submitted to the Workforce Education Unit from a person’s college or university provided the school participates with the National Clearing House. If not, then official transcripts must be mailed to the Workforce Education Unit at DCDEE for evaluation. All staff education should be current before the fifth month, (August 2024), of the temporary time period as a rated license will need to be processed before the end date of the temporary license. I will further review staff education for points for the Rated License. We reviewed staff creating a WORKS account and applying for a position before submitting an official transcript so that the Workforce Education Unit is aware of what needs to be evaluated for a person. All education evaluations are completed via a staff member’s individual WORKS account. For more information about NCID and WORKS, visit the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov to view more information under the DCDEE WORKS tab http://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/general/mb_dcdeeworks.asp. You can also contact the Workforce Education Unit at 1-800-859-0829 for more information concerning WORKS. The total points for the Child Care Star Rated License will be determined around the 5th month (August) before the end of the temporary time period. To earn a Three-star license and continue receiving subsidy funds, the facility must earn at least a total of seven (7) points. We reviewed the importance of hiring a person to work as a lead teacher with the NC Child Care Credentials. You stated your sister may begin working with you; however, she does not have the NCECC at this time, but you further stated she is enrolled in EDU 119 to begin in May 2024. DCDEE’s WEBSITE: Continue reviewing the Division of Child Development and Early Education’s website for the most up to date information regarding child care requirements. DCDEE’s website is: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. You can access the most current NC Child Care rules, (January 1, 2024), resources, forms, sanitation rules, laws, etc. from DCDEE’s website. LEAD WATER, LEAD PAINT, AND ASBESTOS TESTING: As of January 1, 2024, all child care programs are required to now test for lead water, lead paint, and asbestos. Please review and access the Clean Water for US Kids website: https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ for information and questions regarding the testing. Lead water testing is required every three years. Child care facilities must enroll in the program via the Clean Water for Carolina Kids website for lead paint and asbestos and complete a survey by May 1, 2024. UNANNOUNCED VISITS: I will continue to conduct unannounced temporary time period visits. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. If you have questions, please contact me at: (252)373-3074 or ramie.doll@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also contact Licensing Supervisor, Susan Fuller, with any questions at (252)373-9809 or via email at susan.fuller@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times