10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/15/2025 Number Present: 38 Completed Date: 4/15/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 340 Time In: 08:50 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. A Yates, Owner, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios) and 1 quality point for: 75% of group leaders have a NC School Age Credential. Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS is implemented (SB 425). This means that you do not need to schedule a rated license assessment unless you voluntarily request one. The new QRIS has been approved by the Child Care Commission. The Division is working on implementation and trainings for the new system. 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. They collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. Their website, ncrlap.org, offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and help to get ready for the new ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and FCCRS-3 assessment tools that will be used in the new QRIS system. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 92% as of 4/14/25. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. The children were transitioning from breakfast. Children in space 2 were playing with toys at their table. The children in space 3 were playing while waiting their turn for toileting. Sleep checks were completed, recorded, and maintained as required. The caregivers were interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. Files for new staff were reviewed. Lunch was observed and consisted of tuna fish, crackers, pickles, lettuce, and milk. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 405 A child's hands were not washed after each diaper change. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. 15A NCAC 18A .2803(c)(2) 619 Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building, near the infants and toddlers playground, was broken and had sharp edges. The space was accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. G.S. 110-91(10) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. .1101(a) Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. 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 4/29/25, 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Nurture and Care: Managing children’s behavior is a constant job in child care. It is not always easy to get small children to do what you ask them to do or go where you want them to go. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. Children should never be picked up by their arms. When moving or picking up a child, they should always be picked up by their body to avoid injury to the joints in their arms. You must review with staff the proper way to handle children to ensure no injuries occur. Diaper Changing Procedures: Following proper diaper changing procedures is crucial to preventing the spread of infection and disease. 1. Wash your hands. 2. Gather supplies before placing child on diapering surface. Place supplies near but not on the diaper changing surface. 3. Put on disposable gloves (optional) 4. Remove soiled clothing 5. Remove soiled disposable diaper and gloves, discard in covered trash. 6. Clean your hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 7. Wipe child’s hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 8. Place a clean diaper under child. 9. Fasten diaper and dress child. 10. Wash child’s hands 11. Spray entire diapering surface with soapy water solution and wipe clean with a disposable paper towel. 12. If needed, remove excess soap on pad by rinsing with water from a spray bottle and re-wiping pad. 13. Spray entire diapering surface with DISINFECTANT (surface must be glistening wet) and allow to air dry for at least 2 minutes (for chlorine) or as specified on disinfectant label. 19. Wash your hands. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. You must review the posted diaper changing procedures poster with staff to ensure that the above steps are followed. Consider reaching out to the Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership at (252) 482-3035 to schedule a training focusing on proper diaper changing procedures. Playground Safety - Regular outdoor inspections are critical to prevent deterioration of equipment and accumulation of hazardous materials in the play. It also ensures that appropriate repairs are made as soon as possible. The outdoor play area should be inspected daily to ensure the materials are in good repair and ready for use by the children. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building near where the infants and toddlers playground was broken and had sharp edges. These items must be repaired immediately. Consider covering the car anchors with dirt instead of sand. The sand is easily moved as the children play on the equipment. The dirt may pack down and hold for longer. The siding on the building must be replaced or covered to make the broken section inaccessible to the children. You stated that you will have the piece on the side of the building replaced. Staff Orientation Training – Providing a comprehensive orientation helps new staff feel confident in their new position and ensures that they have a working knowledge of NC Child Care Rule requirements. All new staff must receive 6 hours of orientation in the first 2 weeks of employment. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. The orientation form for the provider hired on 4/14/25 was signed and dated 4/14/25, however there was no other information document on the form. All information should be documented on the form before the provider and trainer sign to verify the training was completed. Items such as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan and the Emergency Medical Care Plan should be reviewed with staff when they start work to ensure they have a working knowledge of how to quickly and effectively respond in the event of an emergency. You stated that you forgot to mark that you had completed the training for the provider hired on 1/21/25. You also stated that the provider hired on 4/14/25 signed and dated the form before you started orientation. You added your signature to document completion of the training with the provider hired on 1/21/25. You marked through the signature and dates and initialed the change for the provider hired on 4/14/25. New Buildings: Since my last visit, you have added two (2) modular buildings on the property. They are still in the process of being installed. When a facility desires to increase their capacity by adding additional spaces, they must submit the information to their consultant in writing. The following information must be submitted: • A letter describing the changes, the approximate date the provider plans to begin using the spaces, how the spaces will be used, and the ages of the children who will be in care. • Updated floor plans for all the buildings on the property and identify the ages of the children who will be cared for in each space. Updated playground plans which identify the ages of the children using each space and how children in the new buildings will have access. Approved building, fire, and sanitation inspections must be submitted as they are completed. Per our discussion, consider contacting the building, fire, and sanitation inspectors to do a walk-through to ensure all requirements are met while you complete construction. You will also need to complete water, lead, and asbestos testing for these buildings. The spaces may not be used for child care until the consultant has completed a visit to monitor and measure the spaces for capacity. Approved CPR/First Aid: To find the most current information on approved CPR and First Aid providers, go to the Division website under Providers, Training and Professional Development, and Health and Safety Trainings. In the blue box on the right-hand side of the page you will see “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training”. This will take you to a page that explains all the training requirements and lists the approved training organizations. If you click on an organization, the page will give more details for the different types of training such as Basic Life Support and DPI Kindergarten-12. The provider hired on 1/21/25 had documentation on file for Basic Life Support training completed on 8/5/23. This training only certifies the provider for CPR and not first aid. The provider must complete the first aid training before 4/21/25 to meet the “90 day from hire requirement”. Per our discussion, refer to this page when hiring new staff and reviewing their information. Because our area is diverse, you may see names of CPR/First Aid trainings that are not familiar to you. Make sure to use this resource to ensure they are an approved provider in North Carolina. Additional Information: NCID Password Change – In the Raise NC email blast sent out on 2/21/25, announced changes to the password rules. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from 8 to 14 characters. The change will apply to all providers. NCID passwords must be updated on a regular basis to keep them active. The next time you update your current password; you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). Strong, unique passwords, along with practicing mindful cybersecurity practices, are key components to the Division protecting your devices and personal information ABCMS New Process - As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Now that you have completed the Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119 and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. Based on the information in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids: Water: Last test completed 3/8/24 Lead Based Paint: Completed Asbestos: Completed At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. 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.

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/15/2025 Number Present: 38 Completed Date: 4/15/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 340 Time In: 08:50 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. A Yates, Owner, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios) and 1 quality point for: 75% of group leaders have a NC School Age Credential. Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS is implemented (SB 425). This means that you do not need to schedule a rated license assessment unless you voluntarily request one. The new QRIS has been approved by the Child Care Commission. The Division is working on implementation and trainings for the new system. 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. They collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. Their website, ncrlap.org, offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and help to get ready for the new ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and FCCRS-3 assessment tools that will be used in the new QRIS system. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 92% as of 4/14/25. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. The children were transitioning from breakfast. Children in space 2 were playing with toys at their table. The children in space 3 were playing while waiting their turn for toileting. Sleep checks were completed, recorded, and maintained as required. The caregivers were interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. Files for new staff were reviewed. Lunch was observed and consisted of tuna fish, crackers, pickles, lettuce, and milk. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 405 A child's hands were not washed after each diaper change. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. 15A NCAC 18A .2803(c)(2) 619 Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building, near the infants and toddlers playground, was broken and had sharp edges. The space was accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. G.S. 110-91(10) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. .1101(a) Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. 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 4/29/25, 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Nurture and Care: Managing children’s behavior is a constant job in child care. It is not always easy to get small children to do what you ask them to do or go where you want them to go. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. Children should never be picked up by their arms. When moving or picking up a child, they should always be picked up by their body to avoid injury to the joints in their arms. You must review with staff the proper way to handle children to ensure no injuries occur. Diaper Changing Procedures: Following proper diaper changing procedures is crucial to preventing the spread of infection and disease. 1. Wash your hands. 2. Gather supplies before placing child on diapering surface. Place supplies near but not on the diaper changing surface. 3. Put on disposable gloves (optional) 4. Remove soiled clothing 5. Remove soiled disposable diaper and gloves, discard in covered trash. 6. Clean your hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 7. Wipe child’s hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 8. Place a clean diaper under child. 9. Fasten diaper and dress child. 10. Wash child’s hands 11. Spray entire diapering surface with soapy water solution and wipe clean with a disposable paper towel. 12. If needed, remove excess soap on pad by rinsing with water from a spray bottle and re-wiping pad. 13. Spray entire diapering surface with DISINFECTANT (surface must be glistening wet) and allow to air dry for at least 2 minutes (for chlorine) or as specified on disinfectant label. 19. Wash your hands. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. You must review the posted diaper changing procedures poster with staff to ensure that the above steps are followed. Consider reaching out to the Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership at (252) 482-3035 to schedule a training focusing on proper diaper changing procedures. Playground Safety - Regular outdoor inspections are critical to prevent deterioration of equipment and accumulation of hazardous materials in the play. It also ensures that appropriate repairs are made as soon as possible. The outdoor play area should be inspected daily to ensure the materials are in good repair and ready for use by the children. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building near where the infants and toddlers playground was broken and had sharp edges. These items must be repaired immediately. Consider covering the car anchors with dirt instead of sand. The sand is easily moved as the children play on the equipment. The dirt may pack down and hold for longer. The siding on the building must be replaced or covered to make the broken section inaccessible to the children. You stated that you will have the piece on the side of the building replaced. Staff Orientation Training – Providing a comprehensive orientation helps new staff feel confident in their new position and ensures that they have a working knowledge of NC Child Care Rule requirements. All new staff must receive 6 hours of orientation in the first 2 weeks of employment. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. The orientation form for the provider hired on 4/14/25 was signed and dated 4/14/25, however there was no other information document on the form. All information should be documented on the form before the provider and trainer sign to verify the training was completed. Items such as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan and the Emergency Medical Care Plan should be reviewed with staff when they start work to ensure they have a working knowledge of how to quickly and effectively respond in the event of an emergency. You stated that you forgot to mark that you had completed the training for the provider hired on 1/21/25. You also stated that the provider hired on 4/14/25 signed and dated the form before you started orientation. You added your signature to document completion of the training with the provider hired on 1/21/25. You marked through the signature and dates and initialed the change for the provider hired on 4/14/25. New Buildings: Since my last visit, you have added two (2) modular buildings on the property. They are still in the process of being installed. When a facility desires to increase their capacity by adding additional spaces, they must submit the information to their consultant in writing. The following information must be submitted: • A letter describing the changes, the approximate date the provider plans to begin using the spaces, how the spaces will be used, and the ages of the children who will be in care. • Updated floor plans for all the buildings on the property and identify the ages of the children who will be cared for in each space. Updated playground plans which identify the ages of the children using each space and how children in the new buildings will have access. Approved building, fire, and sanitation inspections must be submitted as they are completed. Per our discussion, consider contacting the building, fire, and sanitation inspectors to do a walk-through to ensure all requirements are met while you complete construction. You will also need to complete water, lead, and asbestos testing for these buildings. The spaces may not be used for child care until the consultant has completed a visit to monitor and measure the spaces for capacity. Approved CPR/First Aid: To find the most current information on approved CPR and First Aid providers, go to the Division website under Providers, Training and Professional Development, and Health and Safety Trainings. In the blue box on the right-hand side of the page you will see “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training”. This will take you to a page that explains all the training requirements and lists the approved training organizations. If you click on an organization, the page will give more details for the different types of training such as Basic Life Support and DPI Kindergarten-12. The provider hired on 1/21/25 had documentation on file for Basic Life Support training completed on 8/5/23. This training only certifies the provider for CPR and not first aid. The provider must complete the first aid training before 4/21/25 to meet the “90 day from hire requirement”. Per our discussion, refer to this page when hiring new staff and reviewing their information. Because our area is diverse, you may see names of CPR/First Aid trainings that are not familiar to you. Make sure to use this resource to ensure they are an approved provider in North Carolina. Additional Information: NCID Password Change – In the Raise NC email blast sent out on 2/21/25, announced changes to the password rules. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from 8 to 14 characters. The change will apply to all providers. NCID passwords must be updated on a regular basis to keep them active. The next time you update your current password; you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). Strong, unique passwords, along with practicing mindful cybersecurity practices, are key components to the Division protecting your devices and personal information ABCMS New Process - As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Now that you have completed the Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119 and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. Based on the information in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids: Water: Last test completed 3/8/24 Lead Based Paint: Completed Asbestos: Completed At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/15/2025 Number Present: 38 Completed Date: 4/15/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 340 Time In: 08:50 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. A Yates, Owner, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios) and 1 quality point for: 75% of group leaders have a NC School Age Credential. Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS is implemented (SB 425). This means that you do not need to schedule a rated license assessment unless you voluntarily request one. The new QRIS has been approved by the Child Care Commission. The Division is working on implementation and trainings for the new system. 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. They collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. Their website, ncrlap.org, offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and help to get ready for the new ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and FCCRS-3 assessment tools that will be used in the new QRIS system. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 92% as of 4/14/25. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. The children were transitioning from breakfast. Children in space 2 were playing with toys at their table. The children in space 3 were playing while waiting their turn for toileting. Sleep checks were completed, recorded, and maintained as required. The caregivers were interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. Files for new staff were reviewed. Lunch was observed and consisted of tuna fish, crackers, pickles, lettuce, and milk. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 405 A child's hands were not washed after each diaper change. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. 15A NCAC 18A .2803(c)(2) 619 Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building, near the infants and toddlers playground, was broken and had sharp edges. The space was accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. G.S. 110-91(10) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. .1101(a) Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. 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 4/29/25, 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Nurture and Care: Managing children’s behavior is a constant job in child care. It is not always easy to get small children to do what you ask them to do or go where you want them to go. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. Children should never be picked up by their arms. When moving or picking up a child, they should always be picked up by their body to avoid injury to the joints in their arms. You must review with staff the proper way to handle children to ensure no injuries occur. Diaper Changing Procedures: Following proper diaper changing procedures is crucial to preventing the spread of infection and disease. 1. Wash your hands. 2. Gather supplies before placing child on diapering surface. Place supplies near but not on the diaper changing surface. 3. Put on disposable gloves (optional) 4. Remove soiled clothing 5. Remove soiled disposable diaper and gloves, discard in covered trash. 6. Clean your hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 7. Wipe child’s hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 8. Place a clean diaper under child. 9. Fasten diaper and dress child. 10. Wash child’s hands 11. Spray entire diapering surface with soapy water solution and wipe clean with a disposable paper towel. 12. If needed, remove excess soap on pad by rinsing with water from a spray bottle and re-wiping pad. 13. Spray entire diapering surface with DISINFECTANT (surface must be glistening wet) and allow to air dry for at least 2 minutes (for chlorine) or as specified on disinfectant label. 19. Wash your hands. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. You must review the posted diaper changing procedures poster with staff to ensure that the above steps are followed. Consider reaching out to the Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership at (252) 482-3035 to schedule a training focusing on proper diaper changing procedures. Playground Safety - Regular outdoor inspections are critical to prevent deterioration of equipment and accumulation of hazardous materials in the play. It also ensures that appropriate repairs are made as soon as possible. The outdoor play area should be inspected daily to ensure the materials are in good repair and ready for use by the children. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building near where the infants and toddlers playground was broken and had sharp edges. These items must be repaired immediately. Consider covering the car anchors with dirt instead of sand. The sand is easily moved as the children play on the equipment. The dirt may pack down and hold for longer. The siding on the building must be replaced or covered to make the broken section inaccessible to the children. You stated that you will have the piece on the side of the building replaced. Staff Orientation Training – Providing a comprehensive orientation helps new staff feel confident in their new position and ensures that they have a working knowledge of NC Child Care Rule requirements. All new staff must receive 6 hours of orientation in the first 2 weeks of employment. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. The orientation form for the provider hired on 4/14/25 was signed and dated 4/14/25, however there was no other information document on the form. All information should be documented on the form before the provider and trainer sign to verify the training was completed. Items such as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan and the Emergency Medical Care Plan should be reviewed with staff when they start work to ensure they have a working knowledge of how to quickly and effectively respond in the event of an emergency. You stated that you forgot to mark that you had completed the training for the provider hired on 1/21/25. You also stated that the provider hired on 4/14/25 signed and dated the form before you started orientation. You added your signature to document completion of the training with the provider hired on 1/21/25. You marked through the signature and dates and initialed the change for the provider hired on 4/14/25. New Buildings: Since my last visit, you have added two (2) modular buildings on the property. They are still in the process of being installed. When a facility desires to increase their capacity by adding additional spaces, they must submit the information to their consultant in writing. The following information must be submitted: • A letter describing the changes, the approximate date the provider plans to begin using the spaces, how the spaces will be used, and the ages of the children who will be in care. • Updated floor plans for all the buildings on the property and identify the ages of the children who will be cared for in each space. Updated playground plans which identify the ages of the children using each space and how children in the new buildings will have access. Approved building, fire, and sanitation inspections must be submitted as they are completed. Per our discussion, consider contacting the building, fire, and sanitation inspectors to do a walk-through to ensure all requirements are met while you complete construction. You will also need to complete water, lead, and asbestos testing for these buildings. The spaces may not be used for child care until the consultant has completed a visit to monitor and measure the spaces for capacity. Approved CPR/First Aid: To find the most current information on approved CPR and First Aid providers, go to the Division website under Providers, Training and Professional Development, and Health and Safety Trainings. In the blue box on the right-hand side of the page you will see “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training”. This will take you to a page that explains all the training requirements and lists the approved training organizations. If you click on an organization, the page will give more details for the different types of training such as Basic Life Support and DPI Kindergarten-12. The provider hired on 1/21/25 had documentation on file for Basic Life Support training completed on 8/5/23. This training only certifies the provider for CPR and not first aid. The provider must complete the first aid training before 4/21/25 to meet the “90 day from hire requirement”. Per our discussion, refer to this page when hiring new staff and reviewing their information. Because our area is diverse, you may see names of CPR/First Aid trainings that are not familiar to you. Make sure to use this resource to ensure they are an approved provider in North Carolina. Additional Information: NCID Password Change – In the Raise NC email blast sent out on 2/21/25, announced changes to the password rules. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from 8 to 14 characters. The change will apply to all providers. NCID passwords must be updated on a regular basis to keep them active. The next time you update your current password; you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). Strong, unique passwords, along with practicing mindful cybersecurity practices, are key components to the Division protecting your devices and personal information ABCMS New Process - As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Now that you have completed the Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119 and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. Based on the information in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids: Water: Last test completed 3/8/24 Lead Based Paint: Completed Asbestos: Completed At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. 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: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/15/2025 Number Present: 38 Completed Date: 4/15/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 340 Time In: 08:50 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. A Yates, Owner, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios) and 1 quality point for: 75% of group leaders have a NC School Age Credential. Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS is implemented (SB 425). This means that you do not need to schedule a rated license assessment unless you voluntarily request one. The new QRIS has been approved by the Child Care Commission. The Division is working on implementation and trainings for the new system. 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. They collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. Their website, ncrlap.org, offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and help to get ready for the new ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and FCCRS-3 assessment tools that will be used in the new QRIS system. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 92% as of 4/14/25. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. The children were transitioning from breakfast. Children in space 2 were playing with toys at their table. The children in space 3 were playing while waiting their turn for toileting. Sleep checks were completed, recorded, and maintained as required. The caregivers were interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. Files for new staff were reviewed. Lunch was observed and consisted of tuna fish, crackers, pickles, lettuce, and milk. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 405 A child's hands were not washed after each diaper change. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. 15A NCAC 18A .2803(c)(2) 619 Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building, near the infants and toddlers playground, was broken and had sharp edges. The space was accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. G.S. 110-91(10) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. .1101(a) Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. 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 4/29/25, 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Nurture and Care: Managing children’s behavior is a constant job in child care. It is not always easy to get small children to do what you ask them to do or go where you want them to go. In space 1, a provider grabbed a child by the arm and sharply pulled them backwards off their feet to keep the child from bothering an infant in a bouncy seat. The other provider came to assist and began to pick up the child by both arms and was stopped by the consultant. Children should never be picked up by their arms. When moving or picking up a child, they should always be picked up by their body to avoid injury to the joints in their arms. You must review with staff the proper way to handle children to ensure no injuries occur. Diaper Changing Procedures: Following proper diaper changing procedures is crucial to preventing the spread of infection and disease. 1. Wash your hands. 2. Gather supplies before placing child on diapering surface. Place supplies near but not on the diaper changing surface. 3. Put on disposable gloves (optional) 4. Remove soiled clothing 5. Remove soiled disposable diaper and gloves, discard in covered trash. 6. Clean your hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 7. Wipe child’s hands with a fresh disposable wipe. 8. Place a clean diaper under child. 9. Fasten diaper and dress child. 10. Wash child’s hands 11. Spray entire diapering surface with soapy water solution and wipe clean with a disposable paper towel. 12. If needed, remove excess soap on pad by rinsing with water from a spray bottle and re-wiping pad. 13. Spray entire diapering surface with DISINFECTANT (surface must be glistening wet) and allow to air dry for at least 2 minutes (for chlorine) or as specified on disinfectant label. 19. Wash your hands. In space 3, the provider did not clean and disinfect the diapering surface between changing children. In space 1, the provider did not wash the hands of a child one (1) year of age after diapering. You must review the posted diaper changing procedures poster with staff to ensure that the above steps are followed. Consider reaching out to the Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership at (252) 482-3035 to schedule a training focusing on proper diaper changing procedures. Playground Safety - Regular outdoor inspections are critical to prevent deterioration of equipment and accumulation of hazardous materials in the play. It also ensures that appropriate repairs are made as soon as possible. The outdoor play area should be inspected daily to ensure the materials are in good repair and ready for use by the children. On the playground used by the preschool children, the dramatic play car anchors were not covered and created a tripping hazard. The siding on the building near where the infants and toddlers playground was broken and had sharp edges. These items must be repaired immediately. Consider covering the car anchors with dirt instead of sand. The sand is easily moved as the children play on the equipment. The dirt may pack down and hold for longer. The siding on the building must be replaced or covered to make the broken section inaccessible to the children. You stated that you will have the piece on the side of the building replaced. Staff Orientation Training – Providing a comprehensive orientation helps new staff feel confident in their new position and ensures that they have a working knowledge of NC Child Care Rule requirements. All new staff must receive 6 hours of orientation in the first 2 weeks of employment. Documentation On file for a provider, hired on 1/21/25, did not include documentation of who provided the training. The orientation form for the provider hired on 4/14/25 was signed and dated 4/14/25, however there was no other information document on the form. All information should be documented on the form before the provider and trainer sign to verify the training was completed. Items such as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan and the Emergency Medical Care Plan should be reviewed with staff when they start work to ensure they have a working knowledge of how to quickly and effectively respond in the event of an emergency. You stated that you forgot to mark that you had completed the training for the provider hired on 1/21/25. You also stated that the provider hired on 4/14/25 signed and dated the form before you started orientation. You added your signature to document completion of the training with the provider hired on 1/21/25. You marked through the signature and dates and initialed the change for the provider hired on 4/14/25. New Buildings: Since my last visit, you have added two (2) modular buildings on the property. They are still in the process of being installed. When a facility desires to increase their capacity by adding additional spaces, they must submit the information to their consultant in writing. The following information must be submitted: • A letter describing the changes, the approximate date the provider plans to begin using the spaces, how the spaces will be used, and the ages of the children who will be in care. • Updated floor plans for all the buildings on the property and identify the ages of the children who will be cared for in each space. Updated playground plans which identify the ages of the children using each space and how children in the new buildings will have access. Approved building, fire, and sanitation inspections must be submitted as they are completed. Per our discussion, consider contacting the building, fire, and sanitation inspectors to do a walk-through to ensure all requirements are met while you complete construction. You will also need to complete water, lead, and asbestos testing for these buildings. The spaces may not be used for child care until the consultant has completed a visit to monitor and measure the spaces for capacity. Approved CPR/First Aid: To find the most current information on approved CPR and First Aid providers, go to the Division website under Providers, Training and Professional Development, and Health and Safety Trainings. In the blue box on the right-hand side of the page you will see “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training”. This will take you to a page that explains all the training requirements and lists the approved training organizations. If you click on an organization, the page will give more details for the different types of training such as Basic Life Support and DPI Kindergarten-12. The provider hired on 1/21/25 had documentation on file for Basic Life Support training completed on 8/5/23. This training only certifies the provider for CPR and not first aid. The provider must complete the first aid training before 4/21/25 to meet the “90 day from hire requirement”. Per our discussion, refer to this page when hiring new staff and reviewing their information. Because our area is diverse, you may see names of CPR/First Aid trainings that are not familiar to you. Make sure to use this resource to ensure they are an approved provider in North Carolina. Additional Information: NCID Password Change – In the Raise NC email blast sent out on 2/21/25, announced changes to the password rules. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from 8 to 14 characters. The change will apply to all providers. NCID passwords must be updated on a regular basis to keep them active. The next time you update your current password; you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). Strong, unique passwords, along with practicing mindful cybersecurity practices, are key components to the Division protecting your devices and personal information ABCMS New Process - As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Now that you have completed the Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119 and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. Based on the information in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids: Water: Last test completed 3/8/24 Lead Based Paint: Completed Asbestos: Completed At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/18/2024 Number Present: 34 Completed Date: 9/18/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 350 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced Annual Compliance Visit today was to monitor this program for compliance with applicable child care requirements, including requirements for NC Pre-Kindergarten. The owner assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios and enhanced space) and 1 quality point for: 75% of lead teachers and teachers have at least 10 years EC work experience. Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS is implemented (SB 425). This means that you do not need to schedule a rated license assessment unless you voluntarily request one. The new QRIS has been approved by the Child Care Commission. The Division is working on implementation and trainings for the new system. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 10/11/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 6/10/24. with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 4/12/24. and your facility was approved for daytime and night care. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 94% as of 9/16/24. Facility Information: We reviewed your facility information and per your statements, the information is current and accurate. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your information, e.g., phone numbers, email address, mailing address, owner information, or Legal Designee. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in the indoor learning environment and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. 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. Staff sat on the floor an helped the children reach the materials. Sleep checks were completed as required. In space 2, the children chose a song and then sang and danced to the song. In space 3, the children were playing dress up with hats and pretending to cook. There continues to be 3 fenced playground spaces to accommodate each age group. Lunch was observed and consisted of fish sticks, green beans, orange slices, whole wheat bread, and milk. Corporation Status: This facility is currently owned by The Learning Center of Perquimans County, Inc. According to the NC Secretary of State's website, this corporation is current and active. Please contact me prior to any information changing regarding the ownership of this facility. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 541 The written feeding plan did not include the child's name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center. One form, for JW, was not signed by the parent or the provider. .0902(a) 614 Bed, cribs, playpens, cots or mats were not placed at least 18" apart or separated by partitions when in use. In space #2, 7 cots were placed less than 18 inches apart. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(e) 852 Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. An incident report for KH on 9/9/24 did not document who had completed the form, who had contacted the parent, and was not signed by the provider. Another incident report for KH which was signed by the parent on 9/11/24 did not document the date or time the incident occurred. .0802 (e) 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. Eight (8) out of nine (9) staff were not identified as working at the facility in the ABCMS system. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. Eight (8) inches of sand was measured at the base of the slide attached to the climbing structure on the playground. Twelve (12) inches is required. .0605(k)(1-4) Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 10/2/24, 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Protective Surfacing - Parents expect that their child will not be exposed to hazardous play environments, yet will have the opportunity for free, creative play. Installation of energy-absorbing surfaces help to reduce both the potential and the severity of injury. Eight (8) inches of sand was measured at the base of the slide attached to the climbing structure on the playground. When sand is used, the depth must be maintained at 12 inches for adequate surfacing. There was also grass growing in the sand. The recent rain may have compacted the sand. It must be raked or sand added to maintain the required depth. Criminal Background Check - All staff are required to list their current place of employment on the Criminal Background Check portal. Hard copy requests are no longer being used. All providers must complete the process through the new ABCMS portal. Beginning February 1, child care administrators can access the Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS) This access allows providers to: •See the real-time background check status of staff members. •Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. •See new background check applicants and add them to staff roster. Access to the ABCMS requires the successful completion of a Moodle course consisting of a short video followed by a test. All staff must connect their CBC with your license number and the date this was completed listed on your Staff and Training Worksheet. Technical assistance was given on accessing the training and the portal. Spacing of Cots – Cots/mats for sleeping must be placed at least 18 inches apart unless separated by a solid barrier. In space #2, 7 cots were less than 18 inches apart. Placing children at least 18 inches apart helps to prevent the spread of diseases. Your numbers have increased, and it has become difficult to space the children per the requirements. You stated that you would create solid barriers where needed. Technical assistance was provided as to the types of barriers that could be used. Infant Feeding Plan – To ensure continuity of care between the provider and home, the parents or healthcare provider must complete an individual written feeding plan for each child under the age of 15 months. The information in the plan helps the provider follow the same schedule with the same types of foods as the parent is providing at home. Children feel more secure when their day follows a steady pattern. The written plan must be posted in the classroom for the provider to follow and must be updated as changes are made. The parent must sign the form when it is completed. One form, for JW, was not signed. You stated that you have already had the teacher sign and will have the parent sign the form at the end of the day. Incident Reports and Log - You must now document every injury incurred while a child is in your care, including cuts, scrapes, bumps, and bitemarks. These incidents must be recorded on the incident report form supplied by the Division. The report must include all required information and be signed by the parent and the person who completed the form. An incident report for KH on 9/9/24 was not document who had completed the form, who had contacted the parent, and was not signed by the provider. Another incident report for KH which was signed by the parent on 9/11/24 did not document the date or time the incident occurred. Per our discussion, you must review all incident reports to ensure they contain all required information. These forms insure that your facility is being transparent with parents when incidents occur and shares how you addressed the needs of the child. Additional Information: CPR/First Aid - CPR and First Aid training must be completed within 30 days of hire. Training for L. White is due today based on her hire date. You stated that you have scheduled the training to be completed later today. Once the training is completed, you must submit a copy of the certificate or card to me via email to verify compliance. 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. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. Testing: Water: 3/8/24 Lead Paint: Survey reviewed by RTI – Hazards N/A Asbestos: Survey reviewed by RTI – Hazards N/A At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. 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: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/18/2024 Number Present: 34 Completed Date: 9/18/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 350 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced Annual Compliance Visit today was to monitor this program for compliance with applicable child care requirements, including requirements for NC Pre-Kindergarten. The owner assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios and enhanced space) and 1 quality point for: 75% of lead teachers and teachers have at least 10 years EC work experience. Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS is implemented (SB 425). This means that you do not need to schedule a rated license assessment unless you voluntarily request one. The new QRIS has been approved by the Child Care Commission. The Division is working on implementation and trainings for the new system. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 10/11/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 6/10/24. with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 4/12/24. and your facility was approved for daytime and night care. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 94% as of 9/16/24. Facility Information: We reviewed your facility information and per your statements, the information is current and accurate. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your information, e.g., phone numbers, email address, mailing address, owner information, or Legal Designee. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in the indoor learning environment and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. 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. Staff sat on the floor an helped the children reach the materials. Sleep checks were completed as required. In space 2, the children chose a song and then sang and danced to the song. In space 3, the children were playing dress up with hats and pretending to cook. There continues to be 3 fenced playground spaces to accommodate each age group. Lunch was observed and consisted of fish sticks, green beans, orange slices, whole wheat bread, and milk. Corporation Status: This facility is currently owned by The Learning Center of Perquimans County, Inc. According to the NC Secretary of State's website, this corporation is current and active. Please contact me prior to any information changing regarding the ownership of this facility. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 541 The written feeding plan did not include the child's name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center. One form, for JW, was not signed by the parent or the provider. .0902(a) 614 Bed, cribs, playpens, cots or mats were not placed at least 18" apart or separated by partitions when in use. In space #2, 7 cots were placed less than 18 inches apart. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(e) 852 Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. An incident report for KH on 9/9/24 did not document who had completed the form, who had contacted the parent, and was not signed by the provider. Another incident report for KH which was signed by the parent on 9/11/24 did not document the date or time the incident occurred. .0802 (e) 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. Eight (8) out of nine (9) staff were not identified as working at the facility in the ABCMS system. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. Eight (8) inches of sand was measured at the base of the slide attached to the climbing structure on the playground. Twelve (12) inches is required. .0605(k)(1-4) Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 10/2/24, 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Protective Surfacing - Parents expect that their child will not be exposed to hazardous play environments, yet will have the opportunity for free, creative play. Installation of energy-absorbing surfaces help to reduce both the potential and the severity of injury. Eight (8) inches of sand was measured at the base of the slide attached to the climbing structure on the playground. When sand is used, the depth must be maintained at 12 inches for adequate surfacing. There was also grass growing in the sand. The recent rain may have compacted the sand. It must be raked or sand added to maintain the required depth. Criminal Background Check - All staff are required to list their current place of employment on the Criminal Background Check portal. Hard copy requests are no longer being used. All providers must complete the process through the new ABCMS portal. Beginning February 1, child care administrators can access the Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS) This access allows providers to: •See the real-time background check status of staff members. •Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. •See new background check applicants and add them to staff roster. Access to the ABCMS requires the successful completion of a Moodle course consisting of a short video followed by a test. All staff must connect their CBC with your license number and the date this was completed listed on your Staff and Training Worksheet. Technical assistance was given on accessing the training and the portal. Spacing of Cots – Cots/mats for sleeping must be placed at least 18 inches apart unless separated by a solid barrier. In space #2, 7 cots were less than 18 inches apart. Placing children at least 18 inches apart helps to prevent the spread of diseases. Your numbers have increased, and it has become difficult to space the children per the requirements. You stated that you would create solid barriers where needed. Technical assistance was provided as to the types of barriers that could be used. Infant Feeding Plan – To ensure continuity of care between the provider and home, the parents or healthcare provider must complete an individual written feeding plan for each child under the age of 15 months. The information in the plan helps the provider follow the same schedule with the same types of foods as the parent is providing at home. Children feel more secure when their day follows a steady pattern. The written plan must be posted in the classroom for the provider to follow and must be updated as changes are made. The parent must sign the form when it is completed. One form, for JW, was not signed. You stated that you have already had the teacher sign and will have the parent sign the form at the end of the day. Incident Reports and Log - You must now document every injury incurred while a child is in your care, including cuts, scrapes, bumps, and bitemarks. These incidents must be recorded on the incident report form supplied by the Division. The report must include all required information and be signed by the parent and the person who completed the form. An incident report for KH on 9/9/24 was not document who had completed the form, who had contacted the parent, and was not signed by the provider. Another incident report for KH which was signed by the parent on 9/11/24 did not document the date or time the incident occurred. Per our discussion, you must review all incident reports to ensure they contain all required information. These forms insure that your facility is being transparent with parents when incidents occur and shares how you addressed the needs of the child. Additional Information: CPR/First Aid - CPR and First Aid training must be completed within 30 days of hire. Training for L. White is due today based on her hire date. You stated that you have scheduled the training to be completed later today. Once the training is completed, you must submit a copy of the certificate or card to me via email to verify compliance. 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. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. Testing: Water: 3/8/24 Lead Paint: Survey reviewed by RTI – Hazards N/A Asbestos: Survey reviewed by RTI – Hazards N/A At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. 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: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/16/2024 Number Present: 30 Completed Date: 4/16/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. The owner assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios) and 1 quality point for: 75% of group leaders have a NC School Age Care Credential. On June 27, 2023, the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) introduced a cohort model and timeline for resuming the star rated license reassessments. This cohort model includes a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility will be in Cohort 2 which means your preparation year will be 7/1/24-6/30/25 and your reassessment year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26. There are opportunities within the preparation year that will help prepare your facility for the reassessment year. Additional information and supports are available on the Division website under Providers, Licensing, Star Rated License, and Resuming Star Rated License. The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (https://ncrlap.org/) also has helpful information for your prep year and your assessment year. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 95 % as of 4/15/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 4/15/24 and The Learning Center of Perquimans County, Inc. was listed as active but not current. Because the corporation is the legal owner of the license, the status must be maintained as current and active. You must contact the Secretary of State to address the issue. Failure to resolve the issue could result in an administrative action. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. Children throughout the facility were participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions and personal care routines. Infants and toddlers were playing on the floor. Diapering routines were observed and in compliance. Sleep checks were completed, recorded, and maintained as required. Lunch was observed and consisted of ham sandwiches on whole wheat bread, pineapple slice, coleslaw, and milk. Files for new staff were reviewed. Rated license requirements were reviewed to ensure compliance was maintained with current program and education components as well as the quality point. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. An aerosol can of Wizard Air Freshener was stored 5 feet above the floor, but not in locked storage, in the bathroom of space 3. .2820(b) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The sand underneath the stationary piece of equipment, on the playground used by the preschool children, measured 6 inches and did not meet the 12 inch requirement. .0605(k)(1-4) Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. 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 4/30/24, 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Hazardous Products - There are over two million human poison exposures reported to poison centers every year. Children under six years of age account for over half of those potential poisonings. Any product under pressure and any product that includes more than one warning must be in locked storage. An aerosol can of Wizard Air Freshener was stored 5 feet above the floor, but not in locked storage, in the bathroom of space 3. Locked storage rooms and cabinets include those which are locked with a combination, electronic or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. The provider stated that she did not know the product needed to be in locked storage. The air freshener was removed from the room and placed in locked storage. Protective Surfacing - Installation of energy-absorbing surfaces help to reduce both the potential and the severity of injury. When sand is used, it must have a depth of at least 12 inches. The sand surfacing used underneath the stationary piece of equipment did not meet the required 12 inches in depth on the playground used for preschool age children. We discussed the importance of raking and fluffing the sand, especially during bad weather conditions with excessive rain. If your surfacing does not meet the 12-inch requirement by re-distributing the sand then more will need to be added. Rated License Technical Assistance: Gross Motor Play – Children must have access to a variety of gross motor activities. This could include jumping, running, tossing, and climbing. Even the youngest children must have a place where they can lay on the ground and have the freedom to wiggle and crawl. When non-mobile children are in care, consider placing a mat or blanket on the ground and have a variety of materials, that represent each type of center play, for them to choose from. This would include a few age appropriate blocks, books, baby dolls, and musical items. Music – Because children are learning language by listening and watching the providers, music should only be played at specific times and for a specific reason. This could include dance time, center time, or nap time. With less background noise, children are better able to hear and learn language from their providers. Education - All staff should submit their education into WORKS. Once transcripts have been sent, the provider must log into WORKS and request to be evaluated. Submitting the transcript does not automatically trigger a re-evaluation. If the provider has problems with the submission, there is a help number and email at the bottom of the WORKS page on the Division website. Additional Information: Playground Fencing - You stated that the new owner of the property next to yours plans to remove the fencing that runs down one side of your playground. Technical assistance was given on replacing the fencing. You may also want to contact your local zoning office for height requirements. Provider Access to ABCMS - Beginning February 1, child care administrators can access the Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS) This access will allow providers to: •See the real-time background check status of staff members. •Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. •See new background check applicants and add them to staff roster. Access to the ABCMS requires the successful completion of a Moodle course consisting of a short video followed by a test. All staff must connect their CBC with your license number and the date this was completed listed on your Staff and Training Worksheet. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. Based on the information in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids, you have completed the water testing and are in process with completing the asbestos and lead based paint testing. You must email the results to me once these are completed. The Healthy Social Behaviors (HSB) Project supports teachers to promote healthy social-emotional development and reduce the expulsion rate among young children in licensed child care centers across North Carolina. The team is made up of specialists with early childhood education backgrounds who are passionate about empowering teachers to develop learning environments and teaching practices that promote prosocial skills in young children. To speak to a Behavior Support Advisor, contact 1-888-600-1685 option 1. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. 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: THE LEARNING CENTER OF PERQUIMANS COUNTY Facility ID: 72000038 Consultant: ANNE BUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/11/2023 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 10/11/2023 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 325 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 02:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced Annual Compliance Visit today was to monitor this program for compliance with applicable child care requirements. A Yates, Owner and L. White, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 6/12/19 earning 5 points in the education component, 5 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced ratios) and 1 quality point for: 75% of Lead Teachers have at least 10 years of EC work experience. On June 27, 2023, the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) introduced a cohort model and timeline for resuming the star rated license reassessments. This cohort model includes a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility will be in Cohort 2 which means your preparation year will be 7/1/24-6/30/25 and your reassessment year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26. There are opportunities within the preparation year that will help prepare your facility for the reassessment year. Additional information and supports are available on the Division website under Providers, Licensing, Star Rated License, and Resuming Star Rated License. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 11/15/22. The sanitation inspection was completed 2/20/23. with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 5/9/23. and your facility was approved for day and nighttime care. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 87% as of 10/9/23. Facility Information: We reviewed your facility information and per your statements, the information is current and accurate. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your information, e.g., phone numbers, email address, mailing address, owner information, or Legal Designee. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. 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 diapering routines. Sleep checks were completed as required. The providers in space 1 helped the children to play musical instruments for circle time. An infant was observed to be held for bottle feeding. The children in space 3, went outside after circle time. There continues to be separate areas in the fenced play area for the different ages of children. The preschool children had access to a stationary climbing structure, dramatic play car, a playhouse, and trucks. Lunch was observed and consisted of pulled chicken on wheat bread, roasted asparagus, apple sauce, and milk. Corporation Status: This facility is currently owned by The Learning Center of Perquimans County. According to the NC Secretary of State's website, this corporation is current and active. Please contact me prior to any information changing regarding the ownership of this facility. The Chowan Perquimans Smart Start / Child Care Resource & Referral is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on child care issues and the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 482-3035 or check out their website at www.cp-smartstart.org. The following violation(s) were documented: Violation Number Comment Rule 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. The sand fall zone had grass growing in the sand. The anchors on the stationary car were exposed creating a tripping hazard for the children. A piece of broken glass was also found in the sand near the fence. .0605(j) 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. Two, out of six children's files reviewed, did not have the medical action plan attached. .0801(b) As a licensed child care operator, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and to maintain compliance with them. The NC General Statutes (Updated September 2020), Child Care Rules (Updated February 2021), and the “What’s New” section of The Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website, ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov, are excellent resources to help you stay current with the child care requirements. The most current forms and documents needed for your licensed facility are available under the Provider tab. Many of them are now interactive so that you can type right into the form. Many of the forms needed for families are now offered in Spanish too. And of course, I am also available to assist you, should you have questions about the child care requirements. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 10/25/23, 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 considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Anne Buck, Child Care Consultant PO Box 2363 Elizabeth City, NC 27906 Anne.Buck@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: Medical Action Plan - When emergencies occur it is important that staff can pull a child's information quickly to ensure they have all the information needed to provide the best medical care possible. Medical Action Plans must be attached to the child’s application in their file. Two, out of six children's files reviewed, did not have the medical action plan attached to the application. Review your children's files to ensure that all children, who have a medical action plan, have a copy attached to their application. Playground Equipment – Checking the space daily and completing the Outdoor Inspection Checklist at least monthly is important to ensure the safety of the materials being used by the children. The sand fall zone had grass growing in the sand. The anchors on the stationary car were exposed creating a tripping hazard for the children. A piece of broken glass was also found in the sand near the fence. The piece of glass was removed during the visit. The roots of the grass prevent the sand from being an effective cushion if children fall. L. White stated that you had recently put down new sand. The space must be raked carefully to ensure there is no more glass or other debris that would be hazardous to the children. Additional Technical Assistance: Transitions - Lunch time can be a hectic time in the infant room. Children are tired, hungry, and need changing. Transitioning from play to lunch and then to nap can be difficult for staff while trying to maintain compliance with handwashing and sanitizing the tables. Consider contacting the partnership for assistance in setting up a routine that ensures a smooth transition and the staff do not have to keep washing children's hands and recleaning the table. Per our discussion, consider talking with your Environmental Health inspector to work out an easier way to distribute lunches in a timely manner and still meet sanitation requirements for food service. Additional Information: Child Care Immunization Report 2023-2024 - This year's Child Care Immunization Reports are due by midnight on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, and will not be accepted after that date. Failure to submit an annual child care immunization report per G.S. 130A-155 will be reported to the Local Health Director for your county. You must submit a report even if no children are attending your child care center or your child care center has closed. This will ensure your center meets the reporting requirement and is not considered delinquent. See the email sent from the Division on 9/26/23 for links to download instructions and a worksheet to assist in determining the status of each child (Word document) and access the worksheet as a PDF. This worksheet is only an aid and does not need to be submitted. The summary table on the fourth page contains the information required to complete the online report. You can also access a guide to submitting a child care report through the online portal. If you have questions about the Child Care Immunization Report, please email Immunization.Reports@dhhs.nc.gov or call 919-707-5595. Self-Service License Fee Coming in November - This fall, DCDEE will use the ABCMS (Automated Background Check Management System) portal to offer a new way to manage the annual license fee*. Instead of watching your mailbox for a paper invoice, you’ll be emailed an invoice directly from ABCMS. You will also be able to download/print invoices and submit online payments all within the same ABCMS portal. Operators and administrators will sign in to ABCMS using their business NCID credentials. If you don’t have a business NCID account, register one at https://ncid.nc.gov/. See the “Raising North Carolina email on 9/12/23 for helpful links and more information on the new ABSCS portal. *Annual license fees do not apply to state or public-school operated child care facilities, or to religious sponsored facilities operated pursuant to a Notice of Compliance. MCCYN-PLUS expansion in NC - Child care programs with a license rated 3 stars or higher can now participate in the military’s fee assistance program. The Department of Defense and Child Care Aware® of America have launched the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) initiative to make it easier for North Carolina’s military families to access and afford quality child care from community providers. Child care programs with a license rated 3 stars or higher in the state’s quality rating and improvement program are eligible to apply. In addition to increasing the number of quality child care options for military families, MCCYN-PLUS gives eligible child care providers an opportunity to support and expand their businesses. Providers interested in qualifying for MCCYN-PLUS can apply through Child Care Aware® of America. Moodle Support - The Division offers early childhood professionals a wide range of professional development opportunities through the online learning platform Moodle. DCDEE has established a new support email address and phone number to help providers navigate Moodle. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. New Pathways to the Early Childhood Education Profession – Early educators now have multiple options to achieve higher education. • Staff can earn a no-cost nationally recognized Child Development Associate® (CDA) certificate through a free Professional Development Teacher Membership from Teaching Strategies. Courses are offered in English and Spanish. In addition, a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship is available to cover the CDA book and assessment fees. • They could also choose take the free online NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam on DCDEE Moodle to earn the North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to the EDU 119 college course for star rated license evaluation. • A third options for staff is to turn their training and experience into a degree in Early Childhood Education. Providers can submit a Credit for Prior Learning portfolio to receive up to nine community college ECE credits for your early childhood knowledge and skills from participating NC Community Colleges. Credits can be applied toward the newly created Early Childhood Workforce Certificate, Early Childhood Education Diploma, Certificate and/or an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Early Childhood Education. See the Raise North Carolina email blast from 9/1/23 for links to more information. Fire and Sanitation Inspections – The State of Emergency due to Covid-19 has been lifted, and flexibility for having fire and sanitation inspections completed is no longer available. Ensure that your inspections are completed at least annually by contacting your Environmental Health Inspector and/or Fire Inspector prior to the expiration of your inspections. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at 252-333-2084 or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, may also be contacted at (252) 373-4199. 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.