Children'S Academy I

10A NCAC 09 . 0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0510 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0801 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0803 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1001 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1002 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .3224 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 440 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: 02:40 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance with rated license assessment visit. Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 28, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 88% as of May 11, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 11, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, as the approved curriculum for a facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, Classroom Staff to Child Ratio chart, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, daily schedule, activity plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the hallway or in the classrooms. The most recent fire inspection was dated April 17, 2026 and was received in my office on April 21, 2026. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated November 11, 2025 with an Approved classification and twenty-three demerits. The lead water test results dated June 25, 2024 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. While you have enrolled for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing, the survey results are pending. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, documented on the Fire Drill Log with the last fire drill completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, documented on the Emergency Drill Log with the last emergency drill being a lockdown drill completed on March 30, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit and milk was stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of twenty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children played in activity areas, transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated no children were enrolled on second shift due to enrollment needs and staffing. Supervision, adequate approved space use, minimum space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, children’s records, and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from local public schools and to and from field trips during summer break from the public school calendar. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION During a technical assistance visit on February 19, 2026, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers On April 30, 2026, I received your “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document. On the application, you indicated that this facility would meet the requirements for the “Pathway to the Stars: Classroom and Instructional Quality (Pathway 2)” option. 2. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space On the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” document, you indicated that this facility would meet “enhanced staff/child ratios”. Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios. 3. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. 4. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan On April 30, 2026, I received the “Facility CQI Plan” document. Today, I verified that the Facility CQI Plan has been created, implemented and progress is on-going. 5. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. During today’s visit, I verified that “Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition, is being used with children three to five years of age. 6. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION Please submit the following to me for verification: 1. Staff Education Standards Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. 2. Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers On April 30, 2026, I received the “Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers” document. Please send me a written description of how each of the foundational practices, one communication practice, one engagement and leadership practice, and one educational opportunity practice have been or plans to be implemented. 3. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please complete an “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document for each staff member. Send me by email a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” document. Please place a copy of each “Individual CQI/PD Plan” in each staff member’s file. 4. Approved Curriculum On the application, you indicated that “Creative Curricula” was the approved curriculum chosen by this facility. Please secure the “Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers” materials for the facility and send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. Please choose an approved curriculum for the school-age children. Please send me documentation to verify that this curriculum has been purchased and implemented in the facility. 5. Approved Formative Assessment On the application, you indicated that “Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)” was the approved formative assessment chosen by this facility. Please send me documentation to verify that this formative assessment has been secured and implemented in the facility. 6. Formative Assessment shared with families Please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually is in place. 7. Coaching/training options for the administrator Per child care rule .3205(f)(10) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the administrator, the administrator should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in additional to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in child care rule .1103 and child care rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218. Please choose the option in which the administrator plans to participate and begin working to complete these requirements within one year of the date of the new star rated license. 8. Coaching/training options for the lead teachers Per child care rule .3205(e & f)(11) pertaining to coaching, mentoring, and training options for the lead teachers, all lead teachers should plan to participate in one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: (A) annual completion of five hours of coaching or mentoring by the administrator, another lead teacher in the center, a lead teacher in another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, an administrator of another licensed child care center with a star-rating of five stars, or a community resource partner; (B) annual completion of five on-going training hours, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section; or (C) annual completion of 0.5 continuing education unit, in addition to applicable requirements in Rule .1103 of this Chapter and Rules .3211, .3212, .3213, .3214, .3215, .3216 and .3218 of this Section. 9. Training related to the chosen curriculum Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. 10. Training related to the chosen formative assessment Please submit documentation that the administrator and all lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. Please place a print copy of the training certificate in the administrator’s and each lead teachers’ staff file for ongoing monitoring purposes. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. .0510(c)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two staff members with employment dates of 12/21/20 and 6/19/23 did not have valid TB test results on file. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1123 All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. .0801(a)(1-7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. During today’s visit, in Space 4, the prescription for one emergency medication expired April 14, 2026 and the medication was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a), each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. During today’s review of children’s records, the “Health Care Needs” section of the enrollment application for two children with dates of enrollment of 11/03/2025 and 05/11/2026 was incomplete. To correct this violation, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” in the blank spaces of “Health Care Needs” section to indicate that no information needs to be shared. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment forms carefully when receiving them from the parent and have the parent add any missing information before the child’s first day of attendance. 3. Per 10A NCAC 09 .1001(a), when children enrolled in a child care center are being transported, each adult and child should be restrained with an individual seat belt or child safety seat appropriate to the child's age or weight in accordance with G.S. 20-135.2A located at http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/seat-belt-law-summary/. During today’s visit, one child restraint seat being used to transport children had expired in 2022. To correct this violation, Ms. Watts removed the expired child restraint seat and disposed of it in the dumpster which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the expiration date of each child restraint seat at least monthly. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(a), all vehicles used to transport children should be free of hazards such as, but not limited to, torn upholstery that allows children to remove the interior padding, broken windows, holes in the floor or roof, or tire treads of less than 2/32 of an inch. During today’s visit, the upholstery on the armrest of the front bench of the white 2010 Ford bus was torn with upholstery foam missing. To correct this violation, the armrest should be replaced or repaired within two weeks of this visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you inspect vehicles daily for needed repairs and report repair needs to the owner immediately. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, sand and water was being offered every third week in Space 4. Water play was not being offered in Space 3 and Space 7. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have water play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0701(a), all staff and children’s records must be accurate. You stated that you may consider creating procedures for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all records. RATED LICENSE CONSULTATION: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3224 (a & b) Recognition Of Quality Initiatives, a child care operator may choose to request one or more areas of recognition to accompany the issuance of a two through five-star rated license earned through compliance with any licensure pathway requirement of this Section. Quality initiatives will not be used to earn a star rating. Verification of requirements for each recognition shall be reassessed at least every three years, at the time of reassessment for a two through five-star rated license. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 2. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 3. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 4. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 5. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Since violation item number 1123 was corrected during the visit and actions taken to correct the violation were documented in this visit summary, no compliance letter documentation will needed for violation item number 1123. All other violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please mail the TB test results to use to verify compliance with violation item number 1033 to me at: PO Box 6217, Hickory, NC 28603. I should receive your compliance letter no later than May 26, 2026. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0508 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 425 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 2, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address. You requested that I add the facility web address to the database. I made that addition for you today. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 28, 2025 prior to today’s visit. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of May 28, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. You stated you do not have any children enrolled on second shift at the facility. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 18, 2024 with Approved classification and twenty demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed on June 25, 2024. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source were within the required limits. I verified that you have started the enrollment for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete this enrollment process. Your last fire inspection was dated April 29, 2025 and was received in my office on April 30, 2025. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Children were playing in activity areas and outdoors, participating in whole group language activities, teacher directed activities, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, eating lunch, and departing. Infant age children were napping in cribs, being bottle fed, and playing in a variety of activity apparatus equipment. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included beans and franks, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-three and thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in Space 2. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. In Spaces 3, 4, 6, and 7, the activity plan did not include a daily planned gross motor activity. .0508(g)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported to and from local public schools during the 2024 - 2025 school year with no permission to transport secured from the parents prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers who deliver services to children outside of the classroom setting did not have a criminal background check (CBC) qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1794 A Four- or Five- Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. The facility did not have a copy of the approved curriculum of their choice, Creative Curriculum, 4th edition. .2802(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lockdown drill recorded for March 2025 was missing the time of the drill, the time to evacuate, and the signature of the person conducting the drill. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. . In Space 1, two permission to administer topical ointment forms were missing the parent signatures. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you record the emergency drill information as soon as it is completed. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2802(d), a Four- or Five- Star program serving four- and five-year old children should use an approved curriculum. Today, you were unable to locate the facility copy of Creative Curriculum, 4th Edition. You stated you believe one of the teachers that recently left employment may have taken the facility copy when packing their personal teaching supplies. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff and make a copy of your chosen approved curriculum available to staff for use as they prepare their activity plans weekly. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(g)(3), the activity plan should include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors or outdoors. The activity plan form that you are using for your three, four, and five-year-old children does not have a space to record a planned gross motor activity. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirement with your staff and provide them with an activity plan form that has space for them to record a planned gross motor activity. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2024 – 2025 school year without parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. Ms. Killian removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 6. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, the following uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file: Gina Stiles was qualified on January 29, 2025 with an expiration date of January 29, 2030. Josey Thoreson was qualified on July 14, 2023 with an expiration date of July 14, 2028. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you will need to secure a CBC qualification letter from the two uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file and send me a copy of the CBC qualification letters by email within two weeks. To prevent this violation from reoccurring, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803 (7), a parent may give standing authorization for up to 12 months to apply over the counter, topical ointments, topical teething ointment or gel, insect repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders, such as sunscreen, diapering creams, baby lotion, and baby powder, to a child, when needed. The authorization should be in writing and should contain: (a) the child's name; (b) the name of the authorized ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (c) when and the amount to administer the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (d) how to apply the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders shall be applied; (e) the signature of the parent; (f) the date the authorization was signed by the parent; and (g) the length of time the authorization is valid, if less than 12 months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have the parents sign the permission to administer form and review permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, stacks of cots should be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination when not in use. You stated your Environmental Health (EH) Specialist suggested covering the stack of cots with a clean bed sheet. I suggested you place an unassigned and unused cot on the top of the stack and note this cot as “unassigned” on your cot list. I encouraged you to contact your EH Specialist before putting this suggestion into practice. 2. As discussed today, while mulch surfacing is not a requirement for your infant and toddler playground based on the type and height of the equipment, I suggested you consider adding a fresh load of wood mulch or rubber mulch to prevent the children from getting so dirty while playing and to keep them from tracking mud into the classroom and on the rugs. 3. As discussed today, the white metal gates at the porch area of the entrance should be kept closed as all times to prevent children from being able to run into the parking lot and the road. 4. Today, I gave you a print of the transportation and off-premises activities child care requirements to use as you prepare to provide transportation and off-premises activities for your school-age children this summer. 5. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. Please post the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 6. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents 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 and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 9. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 12, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0803 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 425 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 2, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address. You requested that I add the facility web address to the database. I made that addition for you today. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 28, 2025 prior to today’s visit. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of May 28, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. You stated you do not have any children enrolled on second shift at the facility. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 18, 2024 with Approved classification and twenty demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed on June 25, 2024. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source were within the required limits. I verified that you have started the enrollment for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete this enrollment process. Your last fire inspection was dated April 29, 2025 and was received in my office on April 30, 2025. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Children were playing in activity areas and outdoors, participating in whole group language activities, teacher directed activities, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, eating lunch, and departing. Infant age children were napping in cribs, being bottle fed, and playing in a variety of activity apparatus equipment. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included beans and franks, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-three and thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in Space 2. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. In Spaces 3, 4, 6, and 7, the activity plan did not include a daily planned gross motor activity. .0508(g)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported to and from local public schools during the 2024 - 2025 school year with no permission to transport secured from the parents prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers who deliver services to children outside of the classroom setting did not have a criminal background check (CBC) qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1794 A Four- or Five- Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. The facility did not have a copy of the approved curriculum of their choice, Creative Curriculum, 4th edition. .2802(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lockdown drill recorded for March 2025 was missing the time of the drill, the time to evacuate, and the signature of the person conducting the drill. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. . In Space 1, two permission to administer topical ointment forms were missing the parent signatures. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you record the emergency drill information as soon as it is completed. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2802(d), a Four- or Five- Star program serving four- and five-year old children should use an approved curriculum. Today, you were unable to locate the facility copy of Creative Curriculum, 4th Edition. You stated you believe one of the teachers that recently left employment may have taken the facility copy when packing their personal teaching supplies. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff and make a copy of your chosen approved curriculum available to staff for use as they prepare their activity plans weekly. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(g)(3), the activity plan should include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors or outdoors. The activity plan form that you are using for your three, four, and five-year-old children does not have a space to record a planned gross motor activity. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirement with your staff and provide them with an activity plan form that has space for them to record a planned gross motor activity. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2024 – 2025 school year without parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. Ms. Killian removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 6. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, the following uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file: Gina Stiles was qualified on January 29, 2025 with an expiration date of January 29, 2030. Josey Thoreson was qualified on July 14, 2023 with an expiration date of July 14, 2028. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you will need to secure a CBC qualification letter from the two uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file and send me a copy of the CBC qualification letters by email within two weeks. To prevent this violation from reoccurring, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803 (7), a parent may give standing authorization for up to 12 months to apply over the counter, topical ointments, topical teething ointment or gel, insect repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders, such as sunscreen, diapering creams, baby lotion, and baby powder, to a child, when needed. The authorization should be in writing and should contain: (a) the child's name; (b) the name of the authorized ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (c) when and the amount to administer the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (d) how to apply the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders shall be applied; (e) the signature of the parent; (f) the date the authorization was signed by the parent; and (g) the length of time the authorization is valid, if less than 12 months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have the parents sign the permission to administer form and review permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, stacks of cots should be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination when not in use. You stated your Environmental Health (EH) Specialist suggested covering the stack of cots with a clean bed sheet. I suggested you place an unassigned and unused cot on the top of the stack and note this cot as “unassigned” on your cot list. I encouraged you to contact your EH Specialist before putting this suggestion into practice. 2. As discussed today, while mulch surfacing is not a requirement for your infant and toddler playground based on the type and height of the equipment, I suggested you consider adding a fresh load of wood mulch or rubber mulch to prevent the children from getting so dirty while playing and to keep them from tracking mud into the classroom and on the rugs. 3. As discussed today, the white metal gates at the porch area of the entrance should be kept closed as all times to prevent children from being able to run into the parking lot and the road. 4. Today, I gave you a print of the transportation and off-premises activities child care requirements to use as you prepare to provide transportation and off-premises activities for your school-age children this summer. 5. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. Please post the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 6. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents 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 and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 9. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 12, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .2703 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 425 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 2, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address. You requested that I add the facility web address to the database. I made that addition for you today. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 28, 2025 prior to today’s visit. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of May 28, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. You stated you do not have any children enrolled on second shift at the facility. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 18, 2024 with Approved classification and twenty demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed on June 25, 2024. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source were within the required limits. I verified that you have started the enrollment for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete this enrollment process. Your last fire inspection was dated April 29, 2025 and was received in my office on April 30, 2025. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Children were playing in activity areas and outdoors, participating in whole group language activities, teacher directed activities, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, eating lunch, and departing. Infant age children were napping in cribs, being bottle fed, and playing in a variety of activity apparatus equipment. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included beans and franks, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-three and thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in Space 2. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. In Spaces 3, 4, 6, and 7, the activity plan did not include a daily planned gross motor activity. .0508(g)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported to and from local public schools during the 2024 - 2025 school year with no permission to transport secured from the parents prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers who deliver services to children outside of the classroom setting did not have a criminal background check (CBC) qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1794 A Four- or Five- Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. The facility did not have a copy of the approved curriculum of their choice, Creative Curriculum, 4th edition. .2802(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lockdown drill recorded for March 2025 was missing the time of the drill, the time to evacuate, and the signature of the person conducting the drill. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. . In Space 1, two permission to administer topical ointment forms were missing the parent signatures. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you record the emergency drill information as soon as it is completed. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2802(d), a Four- or Five- Star program serving four- and five-year old children should use an approved curriculum. Today, you were unable to locate the facility copy of Creative Curriculum, 4th Edition. You stated you believe one of the teachers that recently left employment may have taken the facility copy when packing their personal teaching supplies. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff and make a copy of your chosen approved curriculum available to staff for use as they prepare their activity plans weekly. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(g)(3), the activity plan should include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors or outdoors. The activity plan form that you are using for your three, four, and five-year-old children does not have a space to record a planned gross motor activity. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirement with your staff and provide them with an activity plan form that has space for them to record a planned gross motor activity. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2024 – 2025 school year without parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. Ms. Killian removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 6. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, the following uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file: Gina Stiles was qualified on January 29, 2025 with an expiration date of January 29, 2030. Josey Thoreson was qualified on July 14, 2023 with an expiration date of July 14, 2028. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you will need to secure a CBC qualification letter from the two uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file and send me a copy of the CBC qualification letters by email within two weeks. To prevent this violation from reoccurring, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803 (7), a parent may give standing authorization for up to 12 months to apply over the counter, topical ointments, topical teething ointment or gel, insect repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders, such as sunscreen, diapering creams, baby lotion, and baby powder, to a child, when needed. The authorization should be in writing and should contain: (a) the child's name; (b) the name of the authorized ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (c) when and the amount to administer the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (d) how to apply the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders shall be applied; (e) the signature of the parent; (f) the date the authorization was signed by the parent; and (g) the length of time the authorization is valid, if less than 12 months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have the parents sign the permission to administer form and review permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, stacks of cots should be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination when not in use. You stated your Environmental Health (EH) Specialist suggested covering the stack of cots with a clean bed sheet. I suggested you place an unassigned and unused cot on the top of the stack and note this cot as “unassigned” on your cot list. I encouraged you to contact your EH Specialist before putting this suggestion into practice. 2. As discussed today, while mulch surfacing is not a requirement for your infant and toddler playground based on the type and height of the equipment, I suggested you consider adding a fresh load of wood mulch or rubber mulch to prevent the children from getting so dirty while playing and to keep them from tracking mud into the classroom and on the rugs. 3. As discussed today, the white metal gates at the porch area of the entrance should be kept closed as all times to prevent children from being able to run into the parking lot and the road. 4. Today, I gave you a print of the transportation and off-premises activities child care requirements to use as you prepare to provide transportation and off-premises activities for your school-age children this summer. 5. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. Please post the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 6. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents 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 and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 9. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 12, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .2802 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 425 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 2, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address. You requested that I add the facility web address to the database. I made that addition for you today. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 28, 2025 prior to today’s visit. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of May 28, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. You stated you do not have any children enrolled on second shift at the facility. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 18, 2024 with Approved classification and twenty demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed on June 25, 2024. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source were within the required limits. I verified that you have started the enrollment for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete this enrollment process. Your last fire inspection was dated April 29, 2025 and was received in my office on April 30, 2025. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Children were playing in activity areas and outdoors, participating in whole group language activities, teacher directed activities, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, eating lunch, and departing. Infant age children were napping in cribs, being bottle fed, and playing in a variety of activity apparatus equipment. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included beans and franks, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-three and thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in Space 2. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. In Spaces 3, 4, 6, and 7, the activity plan did not include a daily planned gross motor activity. .0508(g)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported to and from local public schools during the 2024 - 2025 school year with no permission to transport secured from the parents prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers who deliver services to children outside of the classroom setting did not have a criminal background check (CBC) qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1794 A Four- or Five- Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. The facility did not have a copy of the approved curriculum of their choice, Creative Curriculum, 4th edition. .2802(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lockdown drill recorded for March 2025 was missing the time of the drill, the time to evacuate, and the signature of the person conducting the drill. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. . In Space 1, two permission to administer topical ointment forms were missing the parent signatures. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you record the emergency drill information as soon as it is completed. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2802(d), a Four- or Five- Star program serving four- and five-year old children should use an approved curriculum. Today, you were unable to locate the facility copy of Creative Curriculum, 4th Edition. You stated you believe one of the teachers that recently left employment may have taken the facility copy when packing their personal teaching supplies. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff and make a copy of your chosen approved curriculum available to staff for use as they prepare their activity plans weekly. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(g)(3), the activity plan should include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors or outdoors. The activity plan form that you are using for your three, four, and five-year-old children does not have a space to record a planned gross motor activity. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirement with your staff and provide them with an activity plan form that has space for them to record a planned gross motor activity. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2024 – 2025 school year without parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. Ms. Killian removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 6. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, the following uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file: Gina Stiles was qualified on January 29, 2025 with an expiration date of January 29, 2030. Josey Thoreson was qualified on July 14, 2023 with an expiration date of July 14, 2028. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you will need to secure a CBC qualification letter from the two uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file and send me a copy of the CBC qualification letters by email within two weeks. To prevent this violation from reoccurring, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803 (7), a parent may give standing authorization for up to 12 months to apply over the counter, topical ointments, topical teething ointment or gel, insect repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders, such as sunscreen, diapering creams, baby lotion, and baby powder, to a child, when needed. The authorization should be in writing and should contain: (a) the child's name; (b) the name of the authorized ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (c) when and the amount to administer the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (d) how to apply the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders shall be applied; (e) the signature of the parent; (f) the date the authorization was signed by the parent; and (g) the length of time the authorization is valid, if less than 12 months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have the parents sign the permission to administer form and review permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, stacks of cots should be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination when not in use. You stated your Environmental Health (EH) Specialist suggested covering the stack of cots with a clean bed sheet. I suggested you place an unassigned and unused cot on the top of the stack and note this cot as “unassigned” on your cot list. I encouraged you to contact your EH Specialist before putting this suggestion into practice. 2. As discussed today, while mulch surfacing is not a requirement for your infant and toddler playground based on the type and height of the equipment, I suggested you consider adding a fresh load of wood mulch or rubber mulch to prevent the children from getting so dirty while playing and to keep them from tracking mud into the classroom and on the rugs. 3. As discussed today, the white metal gates at the porch area of the entrance should be kept closed as all times to prevent children from being able to run into the parking lot and the road. 4. Today, I gave you a print of the transportation and off-premises activities child care requirements to use as you prepare to provide transportation and off-premises activities for your school-age children this summer. 5. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. Please post the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 6. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents 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 and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 9. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 12, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09.0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 425 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 2, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address. You requested that I add the facility web address to the database. I made that addition for you today. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 28, 2025 prior to today’s visit. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of May 28, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. You stated you do not have any children enrolled on second shift at the facility. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 18, 2024 with Approved classification and twenty demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed on June 25, 2024. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source were within the required limits. I verified that you have started the enrollment for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete this enrollment process. Your last fire inspection was dated April 29, 2025 and was received in my office on April 30, 2025. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Children were playing in activity areas and outdoors, participating in whole group language activities, teacher directed activities, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, eating lunch, and departing. Infant age children were napping in cribs, being bottle fed, and playing in a variety of activity apparatus equipment. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included beans and franks, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-three and thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in Space 2. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. In Spaces 3, 4, 6, and 7, the activity plan did not include a daily planned gross motor activity. .0508(g)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported to and from local public schools during the 2024 - 2025 school year with no permission to transport secured from the parents prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers who deliver services to children outside of the classroom setting did not have a criminal background check (CBC) qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1794 A Four- or Five- Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. The facility did not have a copy of the approved curriculum of their choice, Creative Curriculum, 4th edition. .2802(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lockdown drill recorded for March 2025 was missing the time of the drill, the time to evacuate, and the signature of the person conducting the drill. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. . In Space 1, two permission to administer topical ointment forms were missing the parent signatures. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you record the emergency drill information as soon as it is completed. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2802(d), a Four- or Five- Star program serving four- and five-year old children should use an approved curriculum. Today, you were unable to locate the facility copy of Creative Curriculum, 4th Edition. You stated you believe one of the teachers that recently left employment may have taken the facility copy when packing their personal teaching supplies. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff and make a copy of your chosen approved curriculum available to staff for use as they prepare their activity plans weekly. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(g)(3), the activity plan should include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors or outdoors. The activity plan form that you are using for your three, four, and five-year-old children does not have a space to record a planned gross motor activity. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirement with your staff and provide them with an activity plan form that has space for them to record a planned gross motor activity. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2024 – 2025 school year without parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. Ms. Killian removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 6. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, the following uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file: Gina Stiles was qualified on January 29, 2025 with an expiration date of January 29, 2030. Josey Thoreson was qualified on July 14, 2023 with an expiration date of July 14, 2028. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you will need to secure a CBC qualification letter from the two uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file and send me a copy of the CBC qualification letters by email within two weeks. To prevent this violation from reoccurring, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803 (7), a parent may give standing authorization for up to 12 months to apply over the counter, topical ointments, topical teething ointment or gel, insect repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders, such as sunscreen, diapering creams, baby lotion, and baby powder, to a child, when needed. The authorization should be in writing and should contain: (a) the child's name; (b) the name of the authorized ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (c) when and the amount to administer the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (d) how to apply the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders shall be applied; (e) the signature of the parent; (f) the date the authorization was signed by the parent; and (g) the length of time the authorization is valid, if less than 12 months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have the parents sign the permission to administer form and review permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, stacks of cots should be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination when not in use. You stated your Environmental Health (EH) Specialist suggested covering the stack of cots with a clean bed sheet. I suggested you place an unassigned and unused cot on the top of the stack and note this cot as “unassigned” on your cot list. I encouraged you to contact your EH Specialist before putting this suggestion into practice. 2. As discussed today, while mulch surfacing is not a requirement for your infant and toddler playground based on the type and height of the equipment, I suggested you consider adding a fresh load of wood mulch or rubber mulch to prevent the children from getting so dirty while playing and to keep them from tracking mud into the classroom and on the rugs. 3. As discussed today, the white metal gates at the porch area of the entrance should be kept closed as all times to prevent children from being able to run into the parking lot and the road. 4. Today, I gave you a print of the transportation and off-premises activities child care requirements to use as you prepare to provide transportation and off-premises activities for your school-age children this summer. 5. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. Please post the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 6. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents 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 and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 9. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 12, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09.1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 425 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 2, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address. You requested that I add the facility web address to the database. I made that addition for you today. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 28, 2025 prior to today’s visit. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of May 28, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. You stated you do not have any children enrolled on second shift at the facility. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 18, 2024 with Approved classification and twenty demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed on June 25, 2024. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source were within the required limits. I verified that you have started the enrollment for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete this enrollment process. Your last fire inspection was dated April 29, 2025 and was received in my office on April 30, 2025. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Children were playing in activity areas and outdoors, participating in whole group language activities, teacher directed activities, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, eating lunch, and departing. Infant age children were napping in cribs, being bottle fed, and playing in a variety of activity apparatus equipment. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included beans and franks, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-three and thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in Space 2. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. In Spaces 3, 4, 6, and 7, the activity plan did not include a daily planned gross motor activity. .0508(g)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported to and from local public schools during the 2024 - 2025 school year with no permission to transport secured from the parents prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers who deliver services to children outside of the classroom setting did not have a criminal background check (CBC) qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1794 A Four- or Five- Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. The facility did not have a copy of the approved curriculum of their choice, Creative Curriculum, 4th edition. .2802(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lockdown drill recorded for March 2025 was missing the time of the drill, the time to evacuate, and the signature of the person conducting the drill. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. . In Space 1, two permission to administer topical ointment forms were missing the parent signatures. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you record the emergency drill information as soon as it is completed. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2802(d), a Four- or Five- Star program serving four- and five-year old children should use an approved curriculum. Today, you were unable to locate the facility copy of Creative Curriculum, 4th Edition. You stated you believe one of the teachers that recently left employment may have taken the facility copy when packing their personal teaching supplies. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff and make a copy of your chosen approved curriculum available to staff for use as they prepare their activity plans weekly. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(g)(3), the activity plan should include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors or outdoors. The activity plan form that you are using for your three, four, and five-year-old children does not have a space to record a planned gross motor activity. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirement with your staff and provide them with an activity plan form that has space for them to record a planned gross motor activity. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2024 – 2025 school year without parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. Ms. Killian removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 6. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, the following uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file: Gina Stiles was qualified on January 29, 2025 with an expiration date of January 29, 2030. Josey Thoreson was qualified on July 14, 2023 with an expiration date of July 14, 2028. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you will need to secure a CBC qualification letter from the two uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file and send me a copy of the CBC qualification letters by email within two weeks. To prevent this violation from reoccurring, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803 (7), a parent may give standing authorization for up to 12 months to apply over the counter, topical ointments, topical teething ointment or gel, insect repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders, such as sunscreen, diapering creams, baby lotion, and baby powder, to a child, when needed. The authorization should be in writing and should contain: (a) the child's name; (b) the name of the authorized ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (c) when and the amount to administer the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (d) how to apply the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders shall be applied; (e) the signature of the parent; (f) the date the authorization was signed by the parent; and (g) the length of time the authorization is valid, if less than 12 months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have the parents sign the permission to administer form and review permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, stacks of cots should be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination when not in use. You stated your Environmental Health (EH) Specialist suggested covering the stack of cots with a clean bed sheet. I suggested you place an unassigned and unused cot on the top of the stack and note this cot as “unassigned” on your cot list. I encouraged you to contact your EH Specialist before putting this suggestion into practice. 2. As discussed today, while mulch surfacing is not a requirement for your infant and toddler playground based on the type and height of the equipment, I suggested you consider adding a fresh load of wood mulch or rubber mulch to prevent the children from getting so dirty while playing and to keep them from tracking mud into the classroom and on the rugs. 3. As discussed today, the white metal gates at the porch area of the entrance should be kept closed as all times to prevent children from being able to run into the parking lot and the road. 4. Today, I gave you a print of the transportation and off-premises activities child care requirements to use as you prepare to provide transportation and off-premises activities for your school-age children this summer. 5. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. Please post the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 6. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents 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 and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 9. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 12, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 425 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 2, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address. You requested that I add the facility web address to the database. I made that addition for you today. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 28, 2025 prior to today’s visit. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of May 28, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. You stated you do not have any children enrolled on second shift at the facility. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 18, 2024 with Approved classification and twenty demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed on June 25, 2024. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source were within the required limits. I verified that you have started the enrollment for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete this enrollment process. Your last fire inspection was dated April 29, 2025 and was received in my office on April 30, 2025. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Children were playing in activity areas and outdoors, participating in whole group language activities, teacher directed activities, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, eating lunch, and departing. Infant age children were napping in cribs, being bottle fed, and playing in a variety of activity apparatus equipment. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included beans and franks, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-three and thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in Space 2. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. In Spaces 3, 4, 6, and 7, the activity plan did not include a daily planned gross motor activity. .0508(g)(3) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. .0803(12) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported to and from local public schools during the 2024 - 2025 school year with no permission to transport secured from the parents prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers who deliver services to children outside of the classroom setting did not have a criminal background check (CBC) qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1794 A Four- or Five- Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. The facility did not have a copy of the approved curriculum of their choice, Creative Curriculum, 4th edition. .2802(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lockdown drill recorded for March 2025 was missing the time of the drill, the time to evacuate, and the signature of the person conducting the drill. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. . In Space 1, two permission to administer topical ointment forms were missing the parent signatures. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you record the emergency drill information as soon as it is completed. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2802(d), a Four- or Five- Star program serving four- and five-year old children should use an approved curriculum. Today, you were unable to locate the facility copy of Creative Curriculum, 4th Edition. You stated you believe one of the teachers that recently left employment may have taken the facility copy when packing their personal teaching supplies. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff and make a copy of your chosen approved curriculum available to staff for use as they prepare their activity plans weekly. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(g)(3), the activity plan should include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors or outdoors. The activity plan form that you are using for your three, four, and five-year-old children does not have a space to record a planned gross motor activity. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirement with your staff and provide them with an activity plan form that has space for them to record a planned gross motor activity. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Sixteen school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2024 – 2025 school year without parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(12), when a medication manufacture date, prescription label discard date, or date on the permission to administer form has expired, the medication should be returned to the parent within seventy-two hours. In Space 5, one diaper ointment expired in February 2025 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within seventy-two hours. Ms. Killian removed the expired medication from the classroom and took it to the office to be returned to the parent today which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review medications, prescription labels, and permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. When an expired medication is brought to the center from home, the expired medication should not be received by the center. 6. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, the following uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file: Gina Stiles was qualified on January 29, 2025 with an expiration date of January 29, 2030. Josey Thoreson was qualified on July 14, 2023 with an expiration date of July 14, 2028. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you will need to secure a CBC qualification letter from the two uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file and send me a copy of the CBC qualification letters by email within two weeks. To prevent this violation from reoccurring, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803 (7), a parent may give standing authorization for up to 12 months to apply over the counter, topical ointments, topical teething ointment or gel, insect repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders, such as sunscreen, diapering creams, baby lotion, and baby powder, to a child, when needed. The authorization should be in writing and should contain: (a) the child's name; (b) the name of the authorized ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (c) when and the amount to administer the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders; (d) how to apply the ointments, repellents, lotions, creams, fluoridated toothpaste, and powders shall be applied; (e) the signature of the parent; (f) the date the authorization was signed by the parent; and (g) the length of time the authorization is valid, if less than 12 months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have the parents sign the permission to administer form and review permission to administer forms routinely to ensure ongoing compliance. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, stacks of cots should be stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination when not in use. You stated your Environmental Health (EH) Specialist suggested covering the stack of cots with a clean bed sheet. I suggested you place an unassigned and unused cot on the top of the stack and note this cot as “unassigned” on your cot list. I encouraged you to contact your EH Specialist before putting this suggestion into practice. 2. As discussed today, while mulch surfacing is not a requirement for your infant and toddler playground based on the type and height of the equipment, I suggested you consider adding a fresh load of wood mulch or rubber mulch to prevent the children from getting so dirty while playing and to keep them from tracking mud into the classroom and on the rugs. 3. As discussed today, the white metal gates at the porch area of the entrance should be kept closed as all times to prevent children from being able to run into the parking lot and the road. 4. Today, I gave you a print of the transportation and off-premises activities child care requirements to use as you prepare to provide transportation and off-premises activities for your school-age children this summer. 5. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. Please post the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 6. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents 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 and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 9. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 12, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0703 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: JULIA ARMSTRONG Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0724-270A Visit Date: 7/26/2024 Number Present: 67 Completed Date: 7/26/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 11:20 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. Melissa Killian, director, and Deanna Watts, administrator accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Killian, Ms. Watts, and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A staff member spoke inappropriately to a group of two-year children and used derogatory language. G.S. 110-91(10) 1016 Someone less than 18 years old had responsibility for, or was left in charge of a group of children. A staff member under age 18 care for a group of children alone. GS 110-91(8); GS 110-106(e); 10A NCAC 09 .0703(a) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one (1) week August 2, 2024, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov. You may contact me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, Julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov or Natosha Lambeth, Western Investigations Consultant, Natosha.lambeth@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. 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: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: JULIA ARMSTRONG Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0724-270A Visit Date: 7/26/2024 Number Present: 67 Completed Date: 7/26/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 11:20 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. Melissa Killian, director, and Deanna Watts, administrator accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Killian, Ms. Watts, and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A staff member spoke inappropriately to a group of two-year children and used derogatory language. G.S. 110-91(10) 1016 Someone less than 18 years old had responsibility for, or was left in charge of a group of children. A staff member under age 18 care for a group of children alone. GS 110-91(8); GS 110-106(e); 10A NCAC 09 .0703(a) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one (1) week August 2, 2024, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov. You may contact me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, Julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov or Natosha Lambeth, Western Investigations Consultant, Natosha.lambeth@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-106 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: JULIA ARMSTRONG Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0724-270A Visit Date: 7/26/2024 Number Present: 67 Completed Date: 7/26/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 11:20 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. Melissa Killian, director, and Deanna Watts, administrator accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Killian, Ms. Watts, and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A staff member spoke inappropriately to a group of two-year children and used derogatory language. G.S. 110-91(10) 1016 Someone less than 18 years old had responsibility for, or was left in charge of a group of children. A staff member under age 18 care for a group of children alone. GS 110-91(8); GS 110-106(e); 10A NCAC 09 .0703(a) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one (1) week August 2, 2024, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov. You may contact me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, Julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov or Natosha Lambeth, Western Investigations Consultant, Natosha.lambeth@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: JULIA ARMSTRONG Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0724-270A Visit Date: 7/26/2024 Number Present: 67 Completed Date: 7/26/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 11:20 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. Melissa Killian, director, and Deanna Watts, administrator accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Killian, Ms. Watts, and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A staff member spoke inappropriately to a group of two-year children and used derogatory language. G.S. 110-91(10) 1016 Someone less than 18 years old had responsibility for, or was left in charge of a group of children. A staff member under age 18 care for a group of children alone. GS 110-91(8); GS 110-106(e); 10A NCAC 09 .0703(a) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one (1) week August 2, 2024, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov. You may contact me at Julia Armstrong, Investigations Consultant, 828-228-4614, Julia.armstrong@dhhs.nc.gov or Natosha Lambeth, Western Investigations Consultant, Natosha.lambeth@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/2/2024 Number Present: 82 Completed Date: 7/2/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 404 Time In: 08:58 AM Time Out: 12:32 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 25, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Little Folks Day Care, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on July 1, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 89% as of July 1, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your last sanitation inspection was dated March 25, 2024 with an Approved classification and seventeen demerits. I verified that on March 27, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated April 23, 2024 and was received in my office on April 23, 2024. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas and outdoors, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, and handwashing. I observed school-age children departing from the facility for an off-premises activity to the splash pad and park from 12:30pm to 2:50pm. A transportation permission slip and off-premises activity permission slip was signed and on file for each school-age child. The off-premises activity calendar was posted on the school-age classroom door and given to each parent. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 5-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included cheese pizza or chicken nuggets, salad, mandarin oranges, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in small compact refrigerators Space 1 at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and Space 2 at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. You stated your written policies had been updated since March 20, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. The Summary of NC Child Care Law posted in the facility and the brochure included in the enrollment packet and given to parents was dated January 2021 but the most recent version is dated September 2023. GS 110-102 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls, doors, doorframes, and corners throughout the facility had chipping paint and visibly soiled areas. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. No fire drill was recorded for June 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One safety restraint seat used in the transporting van expired in December 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. No transportation roster was maintained from June 3, 2024 through July 1, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1324 Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. The signed and dated statement by parent that the displine policy was received and explained at enrollment was missing from three child record files. .1804(c) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The "Health Care Needs" section of the child enrollment application was missing or incomplete for three children. .0801(a)(1-7) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The shelter-in-place drill conducted on June 12, 2024 recorded on the drill record was missing the time of the drill and the time needed to shelter-in-place. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. Two signed statements by parents acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy did not include the date the policy was given and/or the date of enrollment. .0608(b)(1-6) 1916 Written permission was not given by parent for child to participate in aquatic activity. Two school-age children did not have signed and written permission from the parent for the child to participate in aquatic activities during the summer of 2024. .1403(i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in September 2023. A copy should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and given to the parents at the time of enrollment. To maintain this child care requirement, I suggest you print a copy of the September 2023 poster and the brochure from the DCDEE website. Post the poster in the hallway and begin using the September 2023 brochure in your enrollment packets. 2. Each discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s name and date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 3. Each Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the date the policy was given and explained to the parent and the child’s enrollment date. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 4. Each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” to indicate that no information needs to be shared. 5. Prior to participating in aquatic activities, each parent should be notified of the facility’s aquatic policy and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the parent and placed in the child’s file. This aquatic policy notification should be shared with each parent annually prior to any aquatic activity. You stated only school-age children participate in aquatic activities in your facility. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you share the aquatic policy with the parent of each school-age child, have the parent sign and date the aquatic activity acknowledgement statement, and file this statement in each child’s file. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed monthly and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. During today’s visit, I observed no fire drill recorded for June 2024. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 13, 2024 but had not recorded the drill on the log. Today, you recorded the June 13, 2024 fire drill on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 7. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. During today’s visit, I observed a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill recorded for June 12, 2024 but the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place were not recorded. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 12, 2024 but had not recorded the drill details on the log. Today, you recorded the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 8. Each vehicle providing transportation for the facility should have a roster listing the names of the children being transported each day transportation is provided. The time each child loads and unloads the bus/van should also be recorded. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you provide a copy of the roster in each notebook and show your staff how to complete the roster on each day transportation is provided. 9. Child restraint seats should follow all federal and state car seat requirements. During today’s visit, I observed one car restraint seat had expired in December 2022 but had been used as recent as yesterday, July 1, 2024. Today, you removed the expired car restraint seat from the van and another car restraint seat that was not expired was added to the van, thereby correcting this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the vehicles and car seats for compliance monthly. 10. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, and windows should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you have weekly and monthly cleaning schedule posted in each classroom. I suggest you inspect each classroom on a daily basis to ensure classrooms are being cleaned as needed and expected. I suggest you request paint to be touched up on the walls, doorframes, doors, and windowsills as needed. CONSULTATION: 1. When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 2. Individual Feeding Schedules should have a parent signature and date. 3. Watch the tire tread on the vehicle borrowed from your sister facility. The tread is starting to show signs of wear. 4. Routine clean toilets and sinks in the bathrooms that are not used for toileting on a regular basis. 5. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 6. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 7. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 8. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 9. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. The star rated license reassessment during this six-month period will include completion of an application for the star rated reassessment, completion of an annual compliance with rated license visit, completion of an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment (optional), completion of an education evaluation, and verification of a quality point option (optional). Over the next few months, I recommend you complete the following tasks and activities that will help you complete your reassessment process between July 2, 2024 and January 2, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have ERS Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 16, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 RATED LICENSE INFORMATION: Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. Today, I gave you a copy of the Application for Assessment for a Two Through Five Star Rated License and the Rated License Assessment Request Review form, and the Quality Point Form for your use. Please complete the application forms. Please note, you are required to complete and return pages 1 and 2 of the Application for Assessment for a Two Component Star Rated License only. The cover page and the remaining pages are for your reference only. Please scan and return the application documents to me by email no later than July 16, 2024. If I am unable to make a clear copy of the documents, I will request you mail the originals to my PO Box. Education – Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. I will use the information on the Staff and Training Worksheets from today’s visit to begin the education evaluation process. Today, I gave you a list of staff members that did not have a status letter in their file. Please submit education transcripts to DCDEE WORKS and request these staff members be evaluated for the position they currently hold and any other position for which they may meet qualifications. Please notify me when you complete the evaluation request and transcripts to WORKS so I can be watching for the evaluation to be completed by the Education Workforce Unit. Program Standards – Once I receive your compliance documentation for the violations cited during today’s visit, I will be able to request your ERS assessments to be completed. You may request that I delay this request if you need additional time to prepare for the ERS assessments but in order to stay within the six-month period I assigned to your facility, it is best if your ERS assessments are completed no later than September 2, 2024. Quality Point – Your facility had previously chosen to meet the Educational Option: the child care administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Today, I verified the administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division, therefore your program continues to qualify for and earn this Quality Point. Please keep your current license posted until the star rated license reassessment process is completed and a new permit is mailed to you. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Due to time restraints, I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files and complete this visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/2/2024 Number Present: 82 Completed Date: 7/2/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 404 Time In: 08:58 AM Time Out: 12:32 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 25, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Little Folks Day Care, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on July 1, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 89% as of July 1, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your last sanitation inspection was dated March 25, 2024 with an Approved classification and seventeen demerits. I verified that on March 27, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated April 23, 2024 and was received in my office on April 23, 2024. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas and outdoors, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, and handwashing. I observed school-age children departing from the facility for an off-premises activity to the splash pad and park from 12:30pm to 2:50pm. A transportation permission slip and off-premises activity permission slip was signed and on file for each school-age child. The off-premises activity calendar was posted on the school-age classroom door and given to each parent. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 5-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included cheese pizza or chicken nuggets, salad, mandarin oranges, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in small compact refrigerators Space 1 at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and Space 2 at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. You stated your written policies had been updated since March 20, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. The Summary of NC Child Care Law posted in the facility and the brochure included in the enrollment packet and given to parents was dated January 2021 but the most recent version is dated September 2023. GS 110-102 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls, doors, doorframes, and corners throughout the facility had chipping paint and visibly soiled areas. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. No fire drill was recorded for June 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One safety restraint seat used in the transporting van expired in December 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. No transportation roster was maintained from June 3, 2024 through July 1, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1324 Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. The signed and dated statement by parent that the displine policy was received and explained at enrollment was missing from three child record files. .1804(c) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The "Health Care Needs" section of the child enrollment application was missing or incomplete for three children. .0801(a)(1-7) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The shelter-in-place drill conducted on June 12, 2024 recorded on the drill record was missing the time of the drill and the time needed to shelter-in-place. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. Two signed statements by parents acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy did not include the date the policy was given and/or the date of enrollment. .0608(b)(1-6) 1916 Written permission was not given by parent for child to participate in aquatic activity. Two school-age children did not have signed and written permission from the parent for the child to participate in aquatic activities during the summer of 2024. .1403(i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in September 2023. A copy should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and given to the parents at the time of enrollment. To maintain this child care requirement, I suggest you print a copy of the September 2023 poster and the brochure from the DCDEE website. Post the poster in the hallway and begin using the September 2023 brochure in your enrollment packets. 2. Each discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s name and date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 3. Each Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the date the policy was given and explained to the parent and the child’s enrollment date. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 4. Each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” to indicate that no information needs to be shared. 5. Prior to participating in aquatic activities, each parent should be notified of the facility’s aquatic policy and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the parent and placed in the child’s file. This aquatic policy notification should be shared with each parent annually prior to any aquatic activity. You stated only school-age children participate in aquatic activities in your facility. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you share the aquatic policy with the parent of each school-age child, have the parent sign and date the aquatic activity acknowledgement statement, and file this statement in each child’s file. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed monthly and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. During today’s visit, I observed no fire drill recorded for June 2024. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 13, 2024 but had not recorded the drill on the log. Today, you recorded the June 13, 2024 fire drill on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 7. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. During today’s visit, I observed a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill recorded for June 12, 2024 but the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place were not recorded. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 12, 2024 but had not recorded the drill details on the log. Today, you recorded the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 8. Each vehicle providing transportation for the facility should have a roster listing the names of the children being transported each day transportation is provided. The time each child loads and unloads the bus/van should also be recorded. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you provide a copy of the roster in each notebook and show your staff how to complete the roster on each day transportation is provided. 9. Child restraint seats should follow all federal and state car seat requirements. During today’s visit, I observed one car restraint seat had expired in December 2022 but had been used as recent as yesterday, July 1, 2024. Today, you removed the expired car restraint seat from the van and another car restraint seat that was not expired was added to the van, thereby correcting this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the vehicles and car seats for compliance monthly. 10. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, and windows should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you have weekly and monthly cleaning schedule posted in each classroom. I suggest you inspect each classroom on a daily basis to ensure classrooms are being cleaned as needed and expected. I suggest you request paint to be touched up on the walls, doorframes, doors, and windowsills as needed. CONSULTATION: 1. When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 2. Individual Feeding Schedules should have a parent signature and date. 3. Watch the tire tread on the vehicle borrowed from your sister facility. The tread is starting to show signs of wear. 4. Routine clean toilets and sinks in the bathrooms that are not used for toileting on a regular basis. 5. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 6. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 7. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 8. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 9. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. The star rated license reassessment during this six-month period will include completion of an application for the star rated reassessment, completion of an annual compliance with rated license visit, completion of an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment (optional), completion of an education evaluation, and verification of a quality point option (optional). Over the next few months, I recommend you complete the following tasks and activities that will help you complete your reassessment process between July 2, 2024 and January 2, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have ERS Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 16, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 RATED LICENSE INFORMATION: Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. Today, I gave you a copy of the Application for Assessment for a Two Through Five Star Rated License and the Rated License Assessment Request Review form, and the Quality Point Form for your use. Please complete the application forms. Please note, you are required to complete and return pages 1 and 2 of the Application for Assessment for a Two Component Star Rated License only. The cover page and the remaining pages are for your reference only. Please scan and return the application documents to me by email no later than July 16, 2024. If I am unable to make a clear copy of the documents, I will request you mail the originals to my PO Box. Education – Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. I will use the information on the Staff and Training Worksheets from today’s visit to begin the education evaluation process. Today, I gave you a list of staff members that did not have a status letter in their file. Please submit education transcripts to DCDEE WORKS and request these staff members be evaluated for the position they currently hold and any other position for which they may meet qualifications. Please notify me when you complete the evaluation request and transcripts to WORKS so I can be watching for the evaluation to be completed by the Education Workforce Unit. Program Standards – Once I receive your compliance documentation for the violations cited during today’s visit, I will be able to request your ERS assessments to be completed. You may request that I delay this request if you need additional time to prepare for the ERS assessments but in order to stay within the six-month period I assigned to your facility, it is best if your ERS assessments are completed no later than September 2, 2024. Quality Point – Your facility had previously chosen to meet the Educational Option: the child care administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Today, I verified the administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division, therefore your program continues to qualify for and earn this Quality Point. Please keep your current license posted until the star rated license reassessment process is completed and a new permit is mailed to you. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Due to time restraints, I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files and complete this visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09.0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/2/2024 Number Present: 82 Completed Date: 7/2/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 404 Time In: 08:58 AM Time Out: 12:32 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 25, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Little Folks Day Care, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on July 1, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 89% as of July 1, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your last sanitation inspection was dated March 25, 2024 with an Approved classification and seventeen demerits. I verified that on March 27, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated April 23, 2024 and was received in my office on April 23, 2024. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas and outdoors, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, and handwashing. I observed school-age children departing from the facility for an off-premises activity to the splash pad and park from 12:30pm to 2:50pm. A transportation permission slip and off-premises activity permission slip was signed and on file for each school-age child. The off-premises activity calendar was posted on the school-age classroom door and given to each parent. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 5-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included cheese pizza or chicken nuggets, salad, mandarin oranges, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in small compact refrigerators Space 1 at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and Space 2 at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. You stated your written policies had been updated since March 20, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. The Summary of NC Child Care Law posted in the facility and the brochure included in the enrollment packet and given to parents was dated January 2021 but the most recent version is dated September 2023. GS 110-102 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls, doors, doorframes, and corners throughout the facility had chipping paint and visibly soiled areas. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. No fire drill was recorded for June 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One safety restraint seat used in the transporting van expired in December 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. No transportation roster was maintained from June 3, 2024 through July 1, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1324 Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. The signed and dated statement by parent that the displine policy was received and explained at enrollment was missing from three child record files. .1804(c) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The "Health Care Needs" section of the child enrollment application was missing or incomplete for three children. .0801(a)(1-7) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The shelter-in-place drill conducted on June 12, 2024 recorded on the drill record was missing the time of the drill and the time needed to shelter-in-place. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. Two signed statements by parents acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy did not include the date the policy was given and/or the date of enrollment. .0608(b)(1-6) 1916 Written permission was not given by parent for child to participate in aquatic activity. Two school-age children did not have signed and written permission from the parent for the child to participate in aquatic activities during the summer of 2024. .1403(i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in September 2023. A copy should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and given to the parents at the time of enrollment. To maintain this child care requirement, I suggest you print a copy of the September 2023 poster and the brochure from the DCDEE website. Post the poster in the hallway and begin using the September 2023 brochure in your enrollment packets. 2. Each discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s name and date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 3. Each Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the date the policy was given and explained to the parent and the child’s enrollment date. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 4. Each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” to indicate that no information needs to be shared. 5. Prior to participating in aquatic activities, each parent should be notified of the facility’s aquatic policy and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the parent and placed in the child’s file. This aquatic policy notification should be shared with each parent annually prior to any aquatic activity. You stated only school-age children participate in aquatic activities in your facility. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you share the aquatic policy with the parent of each school-age child, have the parent sign and date the aquatic activity acknowledgement statement, and file this statement in each child’s file. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed monthly and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. During today’s visit, I observed no fire drill recorded for June 2024. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 13, 2024 but had not recorded the drill on the log. Today, you recorded the June 13, 2024 fire drill on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 7. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. During today’s visit, I observed a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill recorded for June 12, 2024 but the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place were not recorded. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 12, 2024 but had not recorded the drill details on the log. Today, you recorded the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 8. Each vehicle providing transportation for the facility should have a roster listing the names of the children being transported each day transportation is provided. The time each child loads and unloads the bus/van should also be recorded. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you provide a copy of the roster in each notebook and show your staff how to complete the roster on each day transportation is provided. 9. Child restraint seats should follow all federal and state car seat requirements. During today’s visit, I observed one car restraint seat had expired in December 2022 but had been used as recent as yesterday, July 1, 2024. Today, you removed the expired car restraint seat from the van and another car restraint seat that was not expired was added to the van, thereby correcting this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the vehicles and car seats for compliance monthly. 10. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, and windows should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you have weekly and monthly cleaning schedule posted in each classroom. I suggest you inspect each classroom on a daily basis to ensure classrooms are being cleaned as needed and expected. I suggest you request paint to be touched up on the walls, doorframes, doors, and windowsills as needed. CONSULTATION: 1. When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 2. Individual Feeding Schedules should have a parent signature and date. 3. Watch the tire tread on the vehicle borrowed from your sister facility. The tread is starting to show signs of wear. 4. Routine clean toilets and sinks in the bathrooms that are not used for toileting on a regular basis. 5. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 6. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 7. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 8. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 9. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. The star rated license reassessment during this six-month period will include completion of an application for the star rated reassessment, completion of an annual compliance with rated license visit, completion of an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment (optional), completion of an education evaluation, and verification of a quality point option (optional). Over the next few months, I recommend you complete the following tasks and activities that will help you complete your reassessment process between July 2, 2024 and January 2, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have ERS Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 16, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 RATED LICENSE INFORMATION: Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. Today, I gave you a copy of the Application for Assessment for a Two Through Five Star Rated License and the Rated License Assessment Request Review form, and the Quality Point Form for your use. Please complete the application forms. Please note, you are required to complete and return pages 1 and 2 of the Application for Assessment for a Two Component Star Rated License only. The cover page and the remaining pages are for your reference only. Please scan and return the application documents to me by email no later than July 16, 2024. If I am unable to make a clear copy of the documents, I will request you mail the originals to my PO Box. Education – Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. I will use the information on the Staff and Training Worksheets from today’s visit to begin the education evaluation process. Today, I gave you a list of staff members that did not have a status letter in their file. Please submit education transcripts to DCDEE WORKS and request these staff members be evaluated for the position they currently hold and any other position for which they may meet qualifications. Please notify me when you complete the evaluation request and transcripts to WORKS so I can be watching for the evaluation to be completed by the Education Workforce Unit. Program Standards – Once I receive your compliance documentation for the violations cited during today’s visit, I will be able to request your ERS assessments to be completed. You may request that I delay this request if you need additional time to prepare for the ERS assessments but in order to stay within the six-month period I assigned to your facility, it is best if your ERS assessments are completed no later than September 2, 2024. Quality Point – Your facility had previously chosen to meet the Educational Option: the child care administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Today, I verified the administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division, therefore your program continues to qualify for and earn this Quality Point. Please keep your current license posted until the star rated license reassessment process is completed and a new permit is mailed to you. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Due to time restraints, I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files and complete this visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-102 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/2/2024 Number Present: 82 Completed Date: 7/2/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 404 Time In: 08:58 AM Time Out: 12:32 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 25, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Little Folks Day Care, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on July 1, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 89% as of July 1, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your last sanitation inspection was dated March 25, 2024 with an Approved classification and seventeen demerits. I verified that on March 27, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated April 23, 2024 and was received in my office on April 23, 2024. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas and outdoors, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, and handwashing. I observed school-age children departing from the facility for an off-premises activity to the splash pad and park from 12:30pm to 2:50pm. A transportation permission slip and off-premises activity permission slip was signed and on file for each school-age child. The off-premises activity calendar was posted on the school-age classroom door and given to each parent. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 5-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included cheese pizza or chicken nuggets, salad, mandarin oranges, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in small compact refrigerators Space 1 at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and Space 2 at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. You stated your written policies had been updated since March 20, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. The Summary of NC Child Care Law posted in the facility and the brochure included in the enrollment packet and given to parents was dated January 2021 but the most recent version is dated September 2023. GS 110-102 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls, doors, doorframes, and corners throughout the facility had chipping paint and visibly soiled areas. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. No fire drill was recorded for June 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One safety restraint seat used in the transporting van expired in December 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. No transportation roster was maintained from June 3, 2024 through July 1, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1324 Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. The signed and dated statement by parent that the displine policy was received and explained at enrollment was missing from three child record files. .1804(c) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The "Health Care Needs" section of the child enrollment application was missing or incomplete for three children. .0801(a)(1-7) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The shelter-in-place drill conducted on June 12, 2024 recorded on the drill record was missing the time of the drill and the time needed to shelter-in-place. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. Two signed statements by parents acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy did not include the date the policy was given and/or the date of enrollment. .0608(b)(1-6) 1916 Written permission was not given by parent for child to participate in aquatic activity. Two school-age children did not have signed and written permission from the parent for the child to participate in aquatic activities during the summer of 2024. .1403(i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in September 2023. A copy should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and given to the parents at the time of enrollment. To maintain this child care requirement, I suggest you print a copy of the September 2023 poster and the brochure from the DCDEE website. Post the poster in the hallway and begin using the September 2023 brochure in your enrollment packets. 2. Each discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s name and date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 3. Each Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the date the policy was given and explained to the parent and the child’s enrollment date. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 4. Each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” to indicate that no information needs to be shared. 5. Prior to participating in aquatic activities, each parent should be notified of the facility’s aquatic policy and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the parent and placed in the child’s file. This aquatic policy notification should be shared with each parent annually prior to any aquatic activity. You stated only school-age children participate in aquatic activities in your facility. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you share the aquatic policy with the parent of each school-age child, have the parent sign and date the aquatic activity acknowledgement statement, and file this statement in each child’s file. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed monthly and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. During today’s visit, I observed no fire drill recorded for June 2024. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 13, 2024 but had not recorded the drill on the log. Today, you recorded the June 13, 2024 fire drill on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 7. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. During today’s visit, I observed a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill recorded for June 12, 2024 but the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place were not recorded. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 12, 2024 but had not recorded the drill details on the log. Today, you recorded the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 8. Each vehicle providing transportation for the facility should have a roster listing the names of the children being transported each day transportation is provided. The time each child loads and unloads the bus/van should also be recorded. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you provide a copy of the roster in each notebook and show your staff how to complete the roster on each day transportation is provided. 9. Child restraint seats should follow all federal and state car seat requirements. During today’s visit, I observed one car restraint seat had expired in December 2022 but had been used as recent as yesterday, July 1, 2024. Today, you removed the expired car restraint seat from the van and another car restraint seat that was not expired was added to the van, thereby correcting this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the vehicles and car seats for compliance monthly. 10. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, and windows should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you have weekly and monthly cleaning schedule posted in each classroom. I suggest you inspect each classroom on a daily basis to ensure classrooms are being cleaned as needed and expected. I suggest you request paint to be touched up on the walls, doorframes, doors, and windowsills as needed. CONSULTATION: 1. When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 2. Individual Feeding Schedules should have a parent signature and date. 3. Watch the tire tread on the vehicle borrowed from your sister facility. The tread is starting to show signs of wear. 4. Routine clean toilets and sinks in the bathrooms that are not used for toileting on a regular basis. 5. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 6. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 7. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 8. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 9. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. The star rated license reassessment during this six-month period will include completion of an application for the star rated reassessment, completion of an annual compliance with rated license visit, completion of an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment (optional), completion of an education evaluation, and verification of a quality point option (optional). Over the next few months, I recommend you complete the following tasks and activities that will help you complete your reassessment process between July 2, 2024 and January 2, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have ERS Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 16, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 RATED LICENSE INFORMATION: Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. Today, I gave you a copy of the Application for Assessment for a Two Through Five Star Rated License and the Rated License Assessment Request Review form, and the Quality Point Form for your use. Please complete the application forms. Please note, you are required to complete and return pages 1 and 2 of the Application for Assessment for a Two Component Star Rated License only. The cover page and the remaining pages are for your reference only. Please scan and return the application documents to me by email no later than July 16, 2024. If I am unable to make a clear copy of the documents, I will request you mail the originals to my PO Box. Education – Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. I will use the information on the Staff and Training Worksheets from today’s visit to begin the education evaluation process. Today, I gave you a list of staff members that did not have a status letter in their file. Please submit education transcripts to DCDEE WORKS and request these staff members be evaluated for the position they currently hold and any other position for which they may meet qualifications. Please notify me when you complete the evaluation request and transcripts to WORKS so I can be watching for the evaluation to be completed by the Education Workforce Unit. Program Standards – Once I receive your compliance documentation for the violations cited during today’s visit, I will be able to request your ERS assessments to be completed. You may request that I delay this request if you need additional time to prepare for the ERS assessments but in order to stay within the six-month period I assigned to your facility, it is best if your ERS assessments are completed no later than September 2, 2024. Quality Point – Your facility had previously chosen to meet the Educational Option: the child care administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Today, I verified the administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division, therefore your program continues to qualify for and earn this Quality Point. Please keep your current license posted until the star rated license reassessment process is completed and a new permit is mailed to you. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Due to time restraints, I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files and complete this visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/2/2024 Number Present: 82 Completed Date: 7/2/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 404 Time In: 08:58 AM Time Out: 12:32 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 25, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Little Folks Day Care, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Little Folks Day Care, Inc., the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on July 1, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 89% as of July 1, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least ten years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your last sanitation inspection was dated March 25, 2024 with an Approved classification and seventeen demerits. I verified that on March 27, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated April 23, 2024 and was received in my office on April 23, 2024. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas and outdoors, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, and handwashing. I observed school-age children departing from the facility for an off-premises activity to the splash pad and park from 12:30pm to 2:50pm. A transportation permission slip and off-premises activity permission slip was signed and on file for each school-age child. The off-premises activity calendar was posted on the school-age classroom door and given to each parent. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 5-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included cheese pizza or chicken nuggets, salad, mandarin oranges, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in small compact refrigerators Space 1 at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and Space 2 at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on March 20, 2024. You stated your written policies had been updated since March 20, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. The Summary of NC Child Care Law posted in the facility and the brochure included in the enrollment packet and given to parents was dated January 2021 but the most recent version is dated September 2023. GS 110-102 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls, doors, doorframes, and corners throughout the facility had chipping paint and visibly soiled areas. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. No fire drill was recorded for June 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One safety restraint seat used in the transporting van expired in December 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. No transportation roster was maintained from June 3, 2024 through July 1, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1324 Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. The signed and dated statement by parent that the displine policy was received and explained at enrollment was missing from three child record files. .1804(c) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The "Health Care Needs" section of the child enrollment application was missing or incomplete for three children. .0801(a)(1-7) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The shelter-in-place drill conducted on June 12, 2024 recorded on the drill record was missing the time of the drill and the time needed to shelter-in-place. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. Two signed statements by parents acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy did not include the date the policy was given and/or the date of enrollment. .0608(b)(1-6) 1916 Written permission was not given by parent for child to participate in aquatic activity. Two school-age children did not have signed and written permission from the parent for the child to participate in aquatic activities during the summer of 2024. .1403(i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in September 2023. A copy should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and given to the parents at the time of enrollment. To maintain this child care requirement, I suggest you print a copy of the September 2023 poster and the brochure from the DCDEE website. Post the poster in the hallway and begin using the September 2023 brochure in your enrollment packets. 2. Each discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s name and date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 3. Each Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the date the policy was given and explained to the parent and the child’s enrollment date. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the enrollment packet documents prior to a child’s first day of attendance and have the parent or administration complete any missing information before the parent leaves the facility on the first day. 4. Each child’s application for enrollment should include a completed health care needs section with information provided by the parent. To maintain compliance this child care requirement, I suggest you have the parent write “NA” or “NONE” to indicate that no information needs to be shared. 5. Prior to participating in aquatic activities, each parent should be notified of the facility’s aquatic policy and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the parent and placed in the child’s file. This aquatic policy notification should be shared with each parent annually prior to any aquatic activity. You stated only school-age children participate in aquatic activities in your facility. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you share the aquatic policy with the parent of each school-age child, have the parent sign and date the aquatic activity acknowledgement statement, and file this statement in each child’s file. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed monthly and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. During today’s visit, I observed no fire drill recorded for June 2024. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 13, 2024 but had not recorded the drill on the log. Today, you recorded the June 13, 2024 fire drill on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 7. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. During today’s visit, I observed a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill recorded for June 12, 2024 but the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place were not recorded. You stated you had conducted the drill on June 12, 2024 but had not recorded the drill details on the log. Today, you recorded the time of the drill and the time taken to shelter-in-place on the log, thereby correcting the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you move the fire drill record from the hallway to your desk area to serve as a visual reminder for you to record the fire drill as soon as it is completed. 8. Each vehicle providing transportation for the facility should have a roster listing the names of the children being transported each day transportation is provided. The time each child loads and unloads the bus/van should also be recorded. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you provide a copy of the roster in each notebook and show your staff how to complete the roster on each day transportation is provided. 9. Child restraint seats should follow all federal and state car seat requirements. During today’s visit, I observed one car restraint seat had expired in December 2022 but had been used as recent as yesterday, July 1, 2024. Today, you removed the expired car restraint seat from the van and another car restraint seat that was not expired was added to the van, thereby correcting this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you check the vehicles and car seats for compliance monthly. 10. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, and windows should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you have weekly and monthly cleaning schedule posted in each classroom. I suggest you inspect each classroom on a daily basis to ensure classrooms are being cleaned as needed and expected. I suggest you request paint to be touched up on the walls, doorframes, doors, and windowsills as needed. CONSULTATION: 1. When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 2. Individual Feeding Schedules should have a parent signature and date. 3. Watch the tire tread on the vehicle borrowed from your sister facility. The tread is starting to show signs of wear. 4. Routine clean toilets and sinks in the bathrooms that are not used for toileting on a regular basis. 5. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 6. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 7. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 8. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 9. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. The star rated license reassessment during this six-month period will include completion of an application for the star rated reassessment, completion of an annual compliance with rated license visit, completion of an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment (optional), completion of an education evaluation, and verification of a quality point option (optional). Over the next few months, I recommend you complete the following tasks and activities that will help you complete your reassessment process between July 2, 2024 and January 2, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have ERS Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 16, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 RATED LICENSE INFORMATION: Your facility is in Cohort 1. The preparation year for Cohort 1 was from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The reassessment year for Cohort 1 began July 1, 2024. I assigned your facility a six-month window of time for me to complete your rated license reassessment which begins today, July 2, 2024 and ends January 2, 2025. Today, I gave you a copy of the Application for Assessment for a Two Through Five Star Rated License and the Rated License Assessment Request Review form, and the Quality Point Form for your use. Please complete the application forms. Please note, you are required to complete and return pages 1 and 2 of the Application for Assessment for a Two Component Star Rated License only. The cover page and the remaining pages are for your reference only. Please scan and return the application documents to me by email no later than July 16, 2024. If I am unable to make a clear copy of the documents, I will request you mail the originals to my PO Box. Education – Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. I will use the information on the Staff and Training Worksheets from today’s visit to begin the education evaluation process. Today, I gave you a list of staff members that did not have a status letter in their file. Please submit education transcripts to DCDEE WORKS and request these staff members be evaluated for the position they currently hold and any other position for which they may meet qualifications. Please notify me when you complete the evaluation request and transcripts to WORKS so I can be watching for the evaluation to be completed by the Education Workforce Unit. Program Standards – Once I receive your compliance documentation for the violations cited during today’s visit, I will be able to request your ERS assessments to be completed. You may request that I delay this request if you need additional time to prepare for the ERS assessments but in order to stay within the six-month period I assigned to your facility, it is best if your ERS assessments are completed no later than September 2, 2024. Quality Point – Your facility had previously chosen to meet the Educational Option: the child care administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Today, I verified the administrator has at least ten years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division, therefore your program continues to qualify for and earn this Quality Point. Please keep your current license posted until the star rated license reassessment process is completed and a new permit is mailed to you. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Due to time restraints, I will return tomorrow, July 3, 2024 to review staff record files and complete this visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09. 601 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/20/2024 Number Present: 82 Completed Date: 3/20/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 345 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:20 PM Time In: 01:20 PM Time Out: 03:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Deanna Watts, Administrator, and Melissa Killian, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughan, Child Care Consultant, accompanied me on today's visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 25, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. Today, you asked that I add a fax number for your facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Little Folks Day Care, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Your facility, owned by Little Folks Day Care, Inc., was reviewed on the NC Secretary of State website on March 12, 2024 and was listed as current- active. Your center's compliance history was 87% as of March 13, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued October 26, 2022, earning five points in education standards, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the child care administrator having at least 10 years of documented child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your most recent fire inspection was dated May 9, 2023 and received in my office by email on May 10, 2023. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated October 17, 2023 with a Superior classification and fifteen demerits. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored all indoor and outdoor licensed areas. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, teacher-directed creative art activities, transitions, and personal care routines. I observed infants engaged in floor play. You stated your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I observed a current menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. I observed meals prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed cold food and milk stored in two commercial refrigerators in the kitchen at a temperature of 29- and 39-degrees Fahrenheit. I observed infant bottles and food stored at a temperature of 27 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 2 (Infants). I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for 17 returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, Basic School-Age Care training and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I reviewed staff record files for five new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on July 25, 2023. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at a routine unannounced visit on February 12, 2023. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 508 Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas. In Spaces 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, food allergies were not posted and/or were not up to date. .0901(g) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. Throughout the facility, paint, sheet rock, and plaster were scarred, chipped, and/or peeling on walls, doorframes, and windowsills. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls should be kept in good repair and clean. You stated you had reported this maintenance need to the owner and the person responsible for the building maintenance was aware of the need but had been on vacation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you keep a can of paint on cite along with paint brushes that allows staff to patch the paint when necessary. 2. Allergies should be posted in the kitchen where food is prepared and in the classroom where food is served. B.est practice is to post a uniform sheet in each classroom even if there are no allergies in that classroom. Today, I observed uniform sheets posted in most classrooms but the allergy listings posted behind the allergy sheet was dated January 2021. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you update all the allergy postings throughout the facility and post the listing behind a uniform sheet. CONSULTATION: 1. When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway BEFORE the substitution is prepared and served. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. When the wooden shelving becomes chipped or splintered, the shelf should be repaired or replaced and should be removed from the classroom immediately. 3. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 4. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 5. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit or electronically through the ABCMS portal. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 6. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 7. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE has developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. While the first reassessment year will not begin until July 1, 2024, the preparation year for cohort one begins July 1, 2023. Your facility is in Cohort 1. Throughout the next few months, I recommend you consider completing the following tasks and activities that will help prepare you for your reassessment year, which will be sometime between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have Environment Rating Scale (ERS) Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. • Consider requesting an ERS assessment (free of charge) during the preparation year. Remember the scores can be used in a variety of ways o ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality o If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment o Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year o Facilities can request another ERS assessment (free of charge) in your reassessment year for any ERS assessment scoring less than a 5.0 If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process 8. New NC DOT requirements for transportation (this is not a Child Care Rule change): 1) All vehicles weighing less than 26,001 pounds that are designed for 16 or more passengers, including the driver, the driver must have a class C commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement. The information on the weight of the vehicle can be found on the inside door on the driver’s side. Here is the website to complete this: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/commercial/Pages/default.aspx The number of children using the vehicle or in the vehicle is not relevant; it is based on how many passengers the vehicle is designed for. 2) Vehicles designed for transporting 9 passengers (including the driver) need a DOT#. If you travel out of state, you will need a USDOT#. If you travel in state, you will need an NCDOT#. Here is a link to visit to determine if you need a DOT# and to register for one if needed, for free: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/do-i-need-usdot-number 9. Items to include in a vehicle binder for each vehicle for DCDEE review: • Daily Transportation Roster (with accurate information documented daily) • Blanket permissions slips for routine transportation • Copy of each child’s application with the child’s picture attached • List of allergies or special health considerations and any medical action plans which would need to be followed • Copy of each staff person’s emergency info/health questionaries’ with staff picture attached • List of emergency telephone numbers: facility, administrator, owner etc. • Copy of current vehicle inspection • Copy of current vehicle insurance • Copy of current vehicle registration • Copy of each driver’s license for all designated drivers, including class C commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement if required (please see above) • Copy of DOT # (Department of Transportation Number) if the vehicle is designed for 9+ passengers including the driver (please see above) 10. Child Care Rule reminders for transportation: • First aid kit (secured in the vehicle) • Fire extinguisher (secured in the vehicle) • No smoking sign posted and visible in the vehicle • The vehicle must be in good repair and free of hazards (includes tire tread) • No children are left in the vehicle unattended by an adult • Children need to be loaded and unloaded in areas safe from traffic • Cell/mobile or two-way device needs to be available in the event of an emergency • Staff cannot be on the phone using their cell or two-way devices when there is no emergency and/or when the vehicle is moving (calls and use of mobile devices need to be made when the vehicle is parked and in a safe location) COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than April 3, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0510 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/25/2023 Number Present: 87 Completed Date: 7/25/2023 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 367 Time In: 09:06 AM Time Out: 12:08 PM Time In: 01:10 PM Time Out: 04:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Hawkins, Administrator, and Deanna Watts, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on August 9, 2022. Your facility, owned by Little Folks Day Care, Inc., was current and active as viewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 21, 2023, prior to today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning 5 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for the child care administrator having at least 10 years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your program’s compliance history was 87% as of July 24, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed permit restrictions including “1st & 2nd shift” and “enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 13 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated May 9, 2023 and was received in my office on May 11, 2023. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me today. I observed children playing in activity areas and the floor, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, participating in teacher-directed group activities, receiving care according to individual needs including diapering and toileting, and eating lunch. I observed proper hand washing techniques. Ms. Wilder reviewed your children’s records and staff records today. I reviewed your program records today. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violation(s) were observed and cited today: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the NC Summary of Child Care Law. GS 110-102 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In Space 4, the book area had books and puppets provided for the three and two year old children in sufficient quantities for at least three children to play with these two types of materials but a third type of material was needed. The teacher placed a basket of magnetic letters in the book area to be used on the metal door as the third type of material available to the children in the book area which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0510(d)(1) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper cream expired in April 2023 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours. The director removed the expired diaper cream from the classroom during today's visit which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0803(12) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Two staff members with dates of employment of 08/29/2022 and 05/15/2023 did not date the Emergency Information Form on file and the Emergency Information Form date was not able to be verified. .0701(a) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency contact information or a copy of the emergency medical care information for one school-age child was not included in the child information notebook prior to transporting the child. The emergency contact information for one school-age child was not updated in the child information notebook when the information changed and prior to transporting the child. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today had a Children's Medical Report with Section A not completed by the parent and Section B was completed by the physician. GS110-91(1) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature I advise you to be prepared to provide supporting documentation in the form of photos, documents, certificates, etc. should I request them in order to clarify or verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than August 8, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per NC General Statute 110-91(1), each child should have a children’s medical report and immunization record on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance but no later than 30 days after enrollment. The parent should complete Section A and the health care professional should complete Section B of the “Children’s Medical Report” document provided by DCDEE. 2) The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in January 2021 and should be posted in a prominent place in the facility. 3) When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 4) Foods that are considered a choking hazard for children under three years of age such as hotdogs and grapes should be cut into small pieces or replaced with a safer food option. 5) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. I suggested you hang your feeding schedules on the cabinet doors or a bulletin board inside the classroom. 6) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies must be made available and accessible daily to the children three years of age and older with enough supplies for three children to play with the same or different materials or toys at the same or different time. I suggested you add a third material to the book area such as a flannel board and flannel pieces, alphabet puzzles, alphabet flash cards, or magnetic letters. 7) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(b), when an item is required to be “locked”, a lock and key mechanism should be used which includes two parts that can be separated to lock and put together to unlock. Examples of approved “locks” include a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices should be kept out of the reach of the children and should not be stored in the lock. Today, I demonstrated that a zipper type device delays the opening of a cabinet door or drawer but does not stop the opening of the door or drawer which is why a zipper type device is a restraint or latch but is not considered a lock. I suggested you that you store in the cabinet doors or drawers secured by the zipper type device items that are not required to be locked. 8) Before children are transported, be sure to prepare identifying information for each child including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information, and a copy of the emergency medical care information form. 9) Each child’s record should include a statement signed and dated by the parent acknowledging that the operational policies were received and reviewed prior to the first day of attendance. 10) Each staff record should include an Emergency Information Form that has been completed and dated by the staff member on or before the first day of employment and updated at least annually or when information changes. At the completion of today’s visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please stay up to date with the NC DHHS Interim COVID-19 guidelines for health, screening, safety, and all interim policy and regulatory flexibilities. You can find COVID-19 related information on the NC DHHS website devoted to COVID-19 at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/. I suggest you visit this website at least several times a week as information is uploaded and updated continuously. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/25/2023 Number Present: 87 Completed Date: 7/25/2023 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 367 Time In: 09:06 AM Time Out: 12:08 PM Time In: 01:10 PM Time Out: 04:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Hawkins, Administrator, and Deanna Watts, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on August 9, 2022. Your facility, owned by Little Folks Day Care, Inc., was current and active as viewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 21, 2023, prior to today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning 5 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for the child care administrator having at least 10 years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your program’s compliance history was 87% as of July 24, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed permit restrictions including “1st & 2nd shift” and “enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 13 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated May 9, 2023 and was received in my office on May 11, 2023. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me today. I observed children playing in activity areas and the floor, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, participating in teacher-directed group activities, receiving care according to individual needs including diapering and toileting, and eating lunch. I observed proper hand washing techniques. Ms. Wilder reviewed your children’s records and staff records today. I reviewed your program records today. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violation(s) were observed and cited today: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the NC Summary of Child Care Law. GS 110-102 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In Space 4, the book area had books and puppets provided for the three and two year old children in sufficient quantities for at least three children to play with these two types of materials but a third type of material was needed. The teacher placed a basket of magnetic letters in the book area to be used on the metal door as the third type of material available to the children in the book area which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0510(d)(1) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper cream expired in April 2023 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours. The director removed the expired diaper cream from the classroom during today's visit which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0803(12) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Two staff members with dates of employment of 08/29/2022 and 05/15/2023 did not date the Emergency Information Form on file and the Emergency Information Form date was not able to be verified. .0701(a) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency contact information or a copy of the emergency medical care information for one school-age child was not included in the child information notebook prior to transporting the child. The emergency contact information for one school-age child was not updated in the child information notebook when the information changed and prior to transporting the child. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today had a Children's Medical Report with Section A not completed by the parent and Section B was completed by the physician. GS110-91(1) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature I advise you to be prepared to provide supporting documentation in the form of photos, documents, certificates, etc. should I request them in order to clarify or verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than August 8, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per NC General Statute 110-91(1), each child should have a children’s medical report and immunization record on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance but no later than 30 days after enrollment. The parent should complete Section A and the health care professional should complete Section B of the “Children’s Medical Report” document provided by DCDEE. 2) The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in January 2021 and should be posted in a prominent place in the facility. 3) When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 4) Foods that are considered a choking hazard for children under three years of age such as hotdogs and grapes should be cut into small pieces or replaced with a safer food option. 5) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. I suggested you hang your feeding schedules on the cabinet doors or a bulletin board inside the classroom. 6) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies must be made available and accessible daily to the children three years of age and older with enough supplies for three children to play with the same or different materials or toys at the same or different time. I suggested you add a third material to the book area such as a flannel board and flannel pieces, alphabet puzzles, alphabet flash cards, or magnetic letters. 7) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(b), when an item is required to be “locked”, a lock and key mechanism should be used which includes two parts that can be separated to lock and put together to unlock. Examples of approved “locks” include a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices should be kept out of the reach of the children and should not be stored in the lock. Today, I demonstrated that a zipper type device delays the opening of a cabinet door or drawer but does not stop the opening of the door or drawer which is why a zipper type device is a restraint or latch but is not considered a lock. I suggested you that you store in the cabinet doors or drawers secured by the zipper type device items that are not required to be locked. 8) Before children are transported, be sure to prepare identifying information for each child including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information, and a copy of the emergency medical care information form. 9) Each child’s record should include a statement signed and dated by the parent acknowledging that the operational policies were received and reviewed prior to the first day of attendance. 10) Each staff record should include an Emergency Information Form that has been completed and dated by the staff member on or before the first day of employment and updated at least annually or when information changes. At the completion of today’s visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please stay up to date with the NC DHHS Interim COVID-19 guidelines for health, screening, safety, and all interim policy and regulatory flexibilities. You can find COVID-19 related information on the NC DHHS website devoted to COVID-19 at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/. I suggest you visit this website at least several times a week as information is uploaded and updated continuously. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/25/2023 Number Present: 87 Completed Date: 7/25/2023 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 367 Time In: 09:06 AM Time Out: 12:08 PM Time In: 01:10 PM Time Out: 04:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Hawkins, Administrator, and Deanna Watts, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on August 9, 2022. Your facility, owned by Little Folks Day Care, Inc., was current and active as viewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 21, 2023, prior to today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning 5 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for the child care administrator having at least 10 years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your program’s compliance history was 87% as of July 24, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed permit restrictions including “1st & 2nd shift” and “enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 13 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated May 9, 2023 and was received in my office on May 11, 2023. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me today. I observed children playing in activity areas and the floor, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, participating in teacher-directed group activities, receiving care according to individual needs including diapering and toileting, and eating lunch. I observed proper hand washing techniques. Ms. Wilder reviewed your children’s records and staff records today. I reviewed your program records today. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violation(s) were observed and cited today: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the NC Summary of Child Care Law. GS 110-102 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In Space 4, the book area had books and puppets provided for the three and two year old children in sufficient quantities for at least three children to play with these two types of materials but a third type of material was needed. The teacher placed a basket of magnetic letters in the book area to be used on the metal door as the third type of material available to the children in the book area which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0510(d)(1) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper cream expired in April 2023 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours. The director removed the expired diaper cream from the classroom during today's visit which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0803(12) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Two staff members with dates of employment of 08/29/2022 and 05/15/2023 did not date the Emergency Information Form on file and the Emergency Information Form date was not able to be verified. .0701(a) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency contact information or a copy of the emergency medical care information for one school-age child was not included in the child information notebook prior to transporting the child. The emergency contact information for one school-age child was not updated in the child information notebook when the information changed and prior to transporting the child. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today had a Children's Medical Report with Section A not completed by the parent and Section B was completed by the physician. GS110-91(1) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature I advise you to be prepared to provide supporting documentation in the form of photos, documents, certificates, etc. should I request them in order to clarify or verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than August 8, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per NC General Statute 110-91(1), each child should have a children’s medical report and immunization record on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance but no later than 30 days after enrollment. The parent should complete Section A and the health care professional should complete Section B of the “Children’s Medical Report” document provided by DCDEE. 2) The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in January 2021 and should be posted in a prominent place in the facility. 3) When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 4) Foods that are considered a choking hazard for children under three years of age such as hotdogs and grapes should be cut into small pieces or replaced with a safer food option. 5) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. I suggested you hang your feeding schedules on the cabinet doors or a bulletin board inside the classroom. 6) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies must be made available and accessible daily to the children three years of age and older with enough supplies for three children to play with the same or different materials or toys at the same or different time. I suggested you add a third material to the book area such as a flannel board and flannel pieces, alphabet puzzles, alphabet flash cards, or magnetic letters. 7) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(b), when an item is required to be “locked”, a lock and key mechanism should be used which includes two parts that can be separated to lock and put together to unlock. Examples of approved “locks” include a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices should be kept out of the reach of the children and should not be stored in the lock. Today, I demonstrated that a zipper type device delays the opening of a cabinet door or drawer but does not stop the opening of the door or drawer which is why a zipper type device is a restraint or latch but is not considered a lock. I suggested you that you store in the cabinet doors or drawers secured by the zipper type device items that are not required to be locked. 8) Before children are transported, be sure to prepare identifying information for each child including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information, and a copy of the emergency medical care information form. 9) Each child’s record should include a statement signed and dated by the parent acknowledging that the operational policies were received and reviewed prior to the first day of attendance. 10) Each staff record should include an Emergency Information Form that has been completed and dated by the staff member on or before the first day of employment and updated at least annually or when information changes. At the completion of today’s visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please stay up to date with the NC DHHS Interim COVID-19 guidelines for health, screening, safety, and all interim policy and regulatory flexibilities. You can find COVID-19 related information on the NC DHHS website devoted to COVID-19 at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/. I suggest you visit this website at least several times a week as information is uploaded and updated continuously. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-102 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/25/2023 Number Present: 87 Completed Date: 7/25/2023 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 367 Time In: 09:06 AM Time Out: 12:08 PM Time In: 01:10 PM Time Out: 04:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Hawkins, Administrator, and Deanna Watts, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on August 9, 2022. Your facility, owned by Little Folks Day Care, Inc., was current and active as viewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 21, 2023, prior to today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning 5 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for the child care administrator having at least 10 years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your program’s compliance history was 87% as of July 24, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed permit restrictions including “1st & 2nd shift” and “enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 13 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated May 9, 2023 and was received in my office on May 11, 2023. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me today. I observed children playing in activity areas and the floor, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, participating in teacher-directed group activities, receiving care according to individual needs including diapering and toileting, and eating lunch. I observed proper hand washing techniques. Ms. Wilder reviewed your children’s records and staff records today. I reviewed your program records today. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violation(s) were observed and cited today: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the NC Summary of Child Care Law. GS 110-102 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In Space 4, the book area had books and puppets provided for the three and two year old children in sufficient quantities for at least three children to play with these two types of materials but a third type of material was needed. The teacher placed a basket of magnetic letters in the book area to be used on the metal door as the third type of material available to the children in the book area which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0510(d)(1) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper cream expired in April 2023 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours. The director removed the expired diaper cream from the classroom during today's visit which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0803(12) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Two staff members with dates of employment of 08/29/2022 and 05/15/2023 did not date the Emergency Information Form on file and the Emergency Information Form date was not able to be verified. .0701(a) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency contact information or a copy of the emergency medical care information for one school-age child was not included in the child information notebook prior to transporting the child. The emergency contact information for one school-age child was not updated in the child information notebook when the information changed and prior to transporting the child. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today had a Children's Medical Report with Section A not completed by the parent and Section B was completed by the physician. GS110-91(1) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature I advise you to be prepared to provide supporting documentation in the form of photos, documents, certificates, etc. should I request them in order to clarify or verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than August 8, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per NC General Statute 110-91(1), each child should have a children’s medical report and immunization record on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance but no later than 30 days after enrollment. The parent should complete Section A and the health care professional should complete Section B of the “Children’s Medical Report” document provided by DCDEE. 2) The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in January 2021 and should be posted in a prominent place in the facility. 3) When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 4) Foods that are considered a choking hazard for children under three years of age such as hotdogs and grapes should be cut into small pieces or replaced with a safer food option. 5) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. I suggested you hang your feeding schedules on the cabinet doors or a bulletin board inside the classroom. 6) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies must be made available and accessible daily to the children three years of age and older with enough supplies for three children to play with the same or different materials or toys at the same or different time. I suggested you add a third material to the book area such as a flannel board and flannel pieces, alphabet puzzles, alphabet flash cards, or magnetic letters. 7) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(b), when an item is required to be “locked”, a lock and key mechanism should be used which includes two parts that can be separated to lock and put together to unlock. Examples of approved “locks” include a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices should be kept out of the reach of the children and should not be stored in the lock. Today, I demonstrated that a zipper type device delays the opening of a cabinet door or drawer but does not stop the opening of the door or drawer which is why a zipper type device is a restraint or latch but is not considered a lock. I suggested you that you store in the cabinet doors or drawers secured by the zipper type device items that are not required to be locked. 8) Before children are transported, be sure to prepare identifying information for each child including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information, and a copy of the emergency medical care information form. 9) Each child’s record should include a statement signed and dated by the parent acknowledging that the operational policies were received and reviewed prior to the first day of attendance. 10) Each staff record should include an Emergency Information Form that has been completed and dated by the staff member on or before the first day of employment and updated at least annually or when information changes. At the completion of today’s visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please stay up to date with the NC DHHS Interim COVID-19 guidelines for health, screening, safety, and all interim policy and regulatory flexibilities. You can find COVID-19 related information on the NC DHHS website devoted to COVID-19 at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/. I suggest you visit this website at least several times a week as information is uploaded and updated continuously. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN'S ACADEMY I Facility ID: 1855120 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/25/2023 Number Present: 87 Completed Date: 7/25/2023 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 367 Time In: 09:06 AM Time Out: 12:08 PM Time In: 01:10 PM Time Out: 04:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Hawkins, Administrator, and Deanna Watts, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on August 9, 2022. Your facility, owned by Little Folks Day Care, Inc., was current and active as viewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 21, 2023, prior to today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26. 2022 earning 5 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for the child care administrator having at least 10 years of documented experience child care administrative work experience in a licensed program that can be verified by the Division. Your program’s compliance history was 87% as of July 24, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed permit restrictions including “1st & 2nd shift” and “enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 13 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated May 9, 2023 and was received in my office on May 11, 2023. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me today. I observed children playing in activity areas and the floor, transitioning from outdoor play to indoor play, participating in teacher-directed group activities, receiving care according to individual needs including diapering and toileting, and eating lunch. I observed proper hand washing techniques. Ms. Wilder reviewed your children’s records and staff records today. I reviewed your program records today. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violation(s) were observed and cited today: Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the NC Summary of Child Care Law. GS 110-102 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In Space 4, the book area had books and puppets provided for the three and two year old children in sufficient quantities for at least three children to play with these two types of materials but a third type of material was needed. The teacher placed a basket of magnetic letters in the book area to be used on the metal door as the third type of material available to the children in the book area which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0510(d)(1) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In Space 5, one diaper cream expired in April 2023 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours. The director removed the expired diaper cream from the classroom during today's visit which corrected this violation during today's visit. .0803(12) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Two staff members with dates of employment of 08/29/2022 and 05/15/2023 did not date the Emergency Information Form on file and the Emergency Information Form date was not able to be verified. .0701(a) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency contact information or a copy of the emergency medical care information for one school-age child was not included in the child information notebook prior to transporting the child. The emergency contact information for one school-age child was not updated in the child information notebook when the information changed and prior to transporting the child. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today was missing a signed and dated parent statement acknowledging the receipt of the operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 11 child record files randomly selected for monitoring today had a Children's Medical Report with Section A not completed by the parent and Section B was completed by the physician. GS110-91(1) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature I advise you to be prepared to provide supporting documentation in the form of photos, documents, certificates, etc. should I request them in order to clarify or verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than August 8, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per NC General Statute 110-91(1), each child should have a children’s medical report and immunization record on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance but no later than 30 days after enrollment. The parent should complete Section A and the health care professional should complete Section B of the “Children’s Medical Report” document provided by DCDEE. 2) The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in January 2021 and should be posted in a prominent place in the facility. 3) When meal substitutions are made, the substitution should be recorded on the menu posted in the kitchen and the hallway before the substitution is prepared and served. 4) Foods that are considered a choking hazard for children under three years of age such as hotdogs and grapes should be cut into small pieces or replaced with a safer food option. 5) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. I suggested you hang your feeding schedules on the cabinet doors or a bulletin board inside the classroom. 6) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies must be made available and accessible daily to the children three years of age and older with enough supplies for three children to play with the same or different materials or toys at the same or different time. I suggested you add a third material to the book area such as a flannel board and flannel pieces, alphabet puzzles, alphabet flash cards, or magnetic letters. 7) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(b), when an item is required to be “locked”, a lock and key mechanism should be used which includes two parts that can be separated to lock and put together to unlock. Examples of approved “locks” include a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices should be kept out of the reach of the children and should not be stored in the lock. Today, I demonstrated that a zipper type device delays the opening of a cabinet door or drawer but does not stop the opening of the door or drawer which is why a zipper type device is a restraint or latch but is not considered a lock. I suggested you that you store in the cabinet doors or drawers secured by the zipper type device items that are not required to be locked. 8) Before children are transported, be sure to prepare identifying information for each child including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information, and a copy of the emergency medical care information form. 9) Each child’s record should include a statement signed and dated by the parent acknowledging that the operational policies were received and reviewed prior to the first day of attendance. 10) Each staff record should include an Emergency Information Form that has been completed and dated by the staff member on or before the first day of employment and updated at least annually or when information changes. At the completion of today’s visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please stay up to date with the NC DHHS Interim COVID-19 guidelines for health, screening, safety, and all interim policy and regulatory flexibilities. You can find COVID-19 related information on the NC DHHS website devoted to COVID-19 at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/. I suggest you visit this website at least several times a week as information is uploaded and updated continuously. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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