Little Paws Learning Center

10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE PAWS LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 91000300 Consultant: EMILY HARGROVE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/20/2026 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 1/20/2026 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 215 Time In: 09:25 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced visit today was to monitor compliance with child care requirements applicable to an annual compliance visit. A. Cook, administrator, was present and assisted with the visit. Currently, this center operates with a Four-Star license issued on May 31, 2022, earning three (3) points in the Education Component, seven (7) points in the Program Component and one (1) Quality point. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on February 27, 2025. The last sanitation inspection was completed December 17, 2025, earning a Superior rating. The last fire inspection was conducted November 7, 2024, and the facility was approved for care on all shifts. You confirmed that no children receive medication while in care and the program does not offer transportation. Eighteen children ages zero (0) to four (4) years of age were present. Children were observed engaging in group time, free choice center, eating lunch, handwashing and toileting, and diapering. Lunch consisted of Cheese pizza, toss salad, mango, and milk. Observed interactions between teachers and children were nurturing in nature. FACILITY PROFILE This facility is owned by LITTLE PAWS LEARNING CENTER LLC. I informed you that the corporation listed as owner of this facility is documented as current and active in the Secretary of State Database and is required to remain so per child care rules. I reviewed contact information for the owner and the facility with you and you verified the current information listed with DCDEE remains correct. The following violation was documented today: 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. The last fire inspection was conducted on 11-7-2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 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 3, 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. GENERAL RULE REMINDERS: Child Care Licensing Requirements are established to ensure a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environment for all child care facilities. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all licensing requirements that apply for your center. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with the applicable laws and rules; always whether they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to ensure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the childcare laws and rules on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION: Compliance History: Prior to today's visit, this facility has maintained an 18-month compliance score of 99%. CHILDREN AND STAFF RECORDS: Ten percent (10%) or more of children records were monitored. Children records reviewed, were in compliance. Other children’s files not reviewed should be monitored to ensure compliance for the same information. Ten percent (10%) or more of staff records were monitored. Staff records reviewed, were in compliance. Other staff files not reviewed should be monitored to ensure compliance for the same information. PROGRAM RECORDS: Fire Drills/Emergency Drills, Sanitation report, First Aid/CPR Poster, Playground Outdoor Inspections, EMC Plan and License were reviewed and current. FIRE INSPECTION: You submitted the most current fire inspection during the visit. I discussed with you that the fire inspection was expired. You immediately called and left a message with fire inspector to discuss a date of when fire inspection will be completed. 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, stated that you would send it to me immediately once it's completed. QRIS RATED LICENSE TRANSITION You did attend the QRIS meeting held by myself and another consultant on 9-17-2025. I discussed and reviewed with you the Pathways to Stars QRIS modernization information from the DCDEE website. We discussed pathway 2 and you stated that you are choosing Pathway 2. I encourage you to continue working with FGV Smart Start for technical assistance related to preparing for pathway 2. I discussed with you to reach out to local community resource agency such as: Child Care and Resource and Referral, Smart Start, or Partnership for Children for coaching/mentoring. I showed and discussed with you the approved curriculum and formative assessments that are listed on the DCDEE website. I reviewed the Application for Rated License Assessment and each form and where to access them on the DCDEE website under the "provider" then go to "provider documents and forms". I recommend for you to review and print Pathways to the Stars rules, Section .3200, Standards for Two through Five Star Rated Licenses which became effective July 1, 2025. Click on the tab under "What's New" and then scroll down to "QRIS MODERNIZATION" you will then find the information for each pathway, questions and answers, and resources. The Division understand that you may have questions as you consider this information. Questions about QRIS Modernization (Reform) may be sent to DCDEE_QRIS@dhhs.nc.gov. We have a tentative plan to submit the application for a rated license assessment in January of 2027. Please contact me if you have any additional questions or need clarification. PROVIDER DOCUMENTS/FORMS: You should visit the website often to ensure you’re using all updated forms. All requirements must be included if you choose to use your own forms electronically or hard copy. Child care rules updated effective July 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024. 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/ • NC Child Care Health & Safety Resource Center for posters www.healthychildcare.unc.edu • NCRLAP: NCRLAP.org If you have questions related to this visit or if I can be of additional assistance, I can be reached at 252-214-8454 or emily.hargrove@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also contact Susan Fuller, Licensing Supervisor at 252-373-9809 or 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

10A NCAC 09 .0302 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE PAWS LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 91000300 Consultant: FELICIA FAISON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/12/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 3/12/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 02:35 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced visit today was to monitor compliance with child care requirements applicable to an annual compliance visit. A. Cook, administrator, was present and assisted with the visit. Currently, this center operates with a Four-Star license issued on May 31, 2022, earning three (3) points in the Education Component, seven (7) points in the Program Component and one (1) Quality point. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2023. The last sanitation inspection was completed March 5, 2024, earning a Superior rating. The last fire inspection was conducted January 3, 2024, and the facility was approved for care on all shifts. You and staff confirmed that no children receive medication while in care and the program does not offer transportation. Children were observed engaging in reviewing letters in group time, free choice center, and teacher directed art making butterflies. Observed interactions between teachers and children were nurturing in nature. FACILITY PROFILE This facility is owned by LITTLE PAWS LEARNING CENTER LLC. I informed you that the corporation listed as owner of this facility is documented as current and active in the Secretary of State Database and is required to remain so per child care rules. I reviewed contact information for the owner and the facility with you and you verified the current information listed with DCDEE remains correct. The following violations of child care requirements were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. A child enrolled 8/1/22 did not have their medical exam completed until 9/20/22. GS110-91(1) 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. A child enrolled 8/1/22 did not have their immunization record in file until 9/21/22. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. Wood chip surfacing beneath and surrounding the red/green slide measures four (4) inches in depth in at least three areas. .0605(k)(1-4) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. Staff hired 5/18/22 did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training until 2/12/23. .1102(g) 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 March 26, 2024. 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 plan to maintain compliance in the future in addition to how it was corrected. Please be aware that 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. STAFF RECORDS I monitored all new staff records and ten (10) percent of remaining staff records and documented one (1) violation. The staff person hired 5/18/22 did not complete the required Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training until 2/12/23. Staff are required to complete this training within the first three months of hire to ensure they can identify signs of abuse and report it appropriately. CHILDREN RECORDS I also monitored ten (10) percent or more of children’s records and documented three (3) violations. A child enrolled 1/23/23 did not have written documentation that their parents reviewed and were given a copy of the summary of NC Child Care Law by the first day of enrollment. While the child enrolled on 8/1/22 has completed the medical report and immunization records are on file they were not completed within the required time frame. Both items must be in the child’s file within the first thirty (30) days of enrollment and this child did not complete a health assessment until 9/20/23 and the immunization records were dated 9/21/23. The appropriate children are indicated on the children’s record form. OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT While monitoring the wood chip surfacing depth I noted it did not reach the required six (6) depth beneath and around the stationary red/green slide. I measured around four (inches) in depth in four (4) areas. In order to maintain resilient surfacing to help decrease chance of injury should a child fall I recommend adding more wood chips to the area/playground or replacing the equipment with a non-stationary item. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & REMINDERS Technical assistance discussed related to the fencing around the playground. I recommend that you look into adding yellow tubing to the top of the playground fencing to ensure it continues to measure the required minimum of four (4) feet even if the fencing settles. We also discussed monitoring the metal play equipment for signs of peeling or chipping paint so the item can be re-painted or removed. The Clean Water for Carolina Kids program is expanding to the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program. This is a legislatively mandated effort to address lead and asbestos hazards in North Carolina public schools, licensed child care centers, and licensed family child care homes. Participation allows facilities to meet all rule requirements for identified lead and asbestos hazards, as required by law. Rules 10A NCAC 41C .1001 through .1007 require all programs to be free of lead and asbestos hazards. RTI is coordinating all the lead in water, paint and asbestos testing and remediation. There are webinars that child care providers can watch to get instructions. Go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ for more information. Currently operating child care facilities are required to test for lead in paint and asbestos once unless the consultant notes a concern during a visit and refers the program to environmental health. All existing licensed programs must complete the application summary for their program regarding lead paint and asbestos by May 1, 2024. The application is on the following website: https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. 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 January 1, 2024, 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. Please feel free to contact me at (984) 867-7089 or email at Felicia.faison@dhhs.nc.gov for questions and assistance. If needed my mailing address is PO Box 61161, Raleigh NC 27661. 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

GS110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE PAWS LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 91000300 Consultant: FELICIA FAISON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/12/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 3/12/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 02:35 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced visit today was to monitor compliance with child care requirements applicable to an annual compliance visit. A. Cook, administrator, was present and assisted with the visit. Currently, this center operates with a Four-Star license issued on May 31, 2022, earning three (3) points in the Education Component, seven (7) points in the Program Component and one (1) Quality point. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2023. The last sanitation inspection was completed March 5, 2024, earning a Superior rating. The last fire inspection was conducted January 3, 2024, and the facility was approved for care on all shifts. You and staff confirmed that no children receive medication while in care and the program does not offer transportation. Children were observed engaging in reviewing letters in group time, free choice center, and teacher directed art making butterflies. Observed interactions between teachers and children were nurturing in nature. FACILITY PROFILE This facility is owned by LITTLE PAWS LEARNING CENTER LLC. I informed you that the corporation listed as owner of this facility is documented as current and active in the Secretary of State Database and is required to remain so per child care rules. I reviewed contact information for the owner and the facility with you and you verified the current information listed with DCDEE remains correct. The following violations of child care requirements were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. A child enrolled 8/1/22 did not have their medical exam completed until 9/20/22. GS110-91(1) 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. A child enrolled 8/1/22 did not have their immunization record in file until 9/21/22. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. Wood chip surfacing beneath and surrounding the red/green slide measures four (4) inches in depth in at least three areas. .0605(k)(1-4) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. Staff hired 5/18/22 did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training until 2/12/23. .1102(g) 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 March 26, 2024. 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 plan to maintain compliance in the future in addition to how it was corrected. Please be aware that 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. STAFF RECORDS I monitored all new staff records and ten (10) percent of remaining staff records and documented one (1) violation. The staff person hired 5/18/22 did not complete the required Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training until 2/12/23. Staff are required to complete this training within the first three months of hire to ensure they can identify signs of abuse and report it appropriately. CHILDREN RECORDS I also monitored ten (10) percent or more of children’s records and documented three (3) violations. A child enrolled 1/23/23 did not have written documentation that their parents reviewed and were given a copy of the summary of NC Child Care Law by the first day of enrollment. While the child enrolled on 8/1/22 has completed the medical report and immunization records are on file they were not completed within the required time frame. Both items must be in the child’s file within the first thirty (30) days of enrollment and this child did not complete a health assessment until 9/20/23 and the immunization records were dated 9/21/23. The appropriate children are indicated on the children’s record form. OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT While monitoring the wood chip surfacing depth I noted it did not reach the required six (6) depth beneath and around the stationary red/green slide. I measured around four (inches) in depth in four (4) areas. In order to maintain resilient surfacing to help decrease chance of injury should a child fall I recommend adding more wood chips to the area/playground or replacing the equipment with a non-stationary item. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & REMINDERS Technical assistance discussed related to the fencing around the playground. I recommend that you look into adding yellow tubing to the top of the playground fencing to ensure it continues to measure the required minimum of four (4) feet even if the fencing settles. We also discussed monitoring the metal play equipment for signs of peeling or chipping paint so the item can be re-painted or removed. The Clean Water for Carolina Kids program is expanding to the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program. This is a legislatively mandated effort to address lead and asbestos hazards in North Carolina public schools, licensed child care centers, and licensed family child care homes. Participation allows facilities to meet all rule requirements for identified lead and asbestos hazards, as required by law. Rules 10A NCAC 41C .1001 through .1007 require all programs to be free of lead and asbestos hazards. RTI is coordinating all the lead in water, paint and asbestos testing and remediation. There are webinars that child care providers can watch to get instructions. Go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ for more information. Currently operating child care facilities are required to test for lead in paint and asbestos once unless the consultant notes a concern during a visit and refers the program to environmental health. All existing licensed programs must complete the application summary for their program regarding lead paint and asbestos by May 1, 2024. The application is on the following website: https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. 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 January 1, 2024, 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. Please feel free to contact me at (984) 867-7089 or email at Felicia.faison@dhhs.nc.gov for questions and assistance. If needed my mailing address is PO Box 61161, Raleigh NC 27661. 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