Little Folks School East

10A NCAC 09 . 1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/4/2026 Age: From 1 To 11 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 10:00 AM Time Out: 04:30 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. Carla Hatton, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 26, 2025. Your program currently operates with a four star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. 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 outside the gym. The fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill. Lead water testing is required to be completed every three years. This facility’s lead water test results dated August 20, 2024 indicates that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. Today, I verified that the lead-based paint test results dated September 25, 2025 indicated that this facility has no lead-based paint hazards. The asbestos test results dated October 23, 2025 indicated that this facility also has no asbestos hazards. 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. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated and I observed no infant-aged children were enrolled. No school-aged children were present during today’s visit due to the public school calendar and hours of operation. Supervision, adequate approved space use, capacity and group size, staff/child ratios 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 to and from a local public school for school-age students. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION: During a routine unannounced visit on October 23, 2025 and again today, I discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025 with Ms. Hatton and Elizabeth Philhower, Administrative Assistant. While this facility may initiate the rated license assessment process at any time by submitting the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, I suggest you submit your application based on the following dates depending on your assessment option choice: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, April 1, 2026. • Immediately begin your three-month self-study using the ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and SACERS-U books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care as soon as you complete the three-month study. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, May 1, 2026. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum for all ages served.) • Arrange coaching or training options for the administrator and lead teachers if applicable. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, August 1, 2026. • Ensure all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. 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. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios, reduced enhanced staff/child ratios, and enhanced space capacity. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION In addition to the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, please be prepared to 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 Please submit the Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers document along with a written description of your plan to implement each foundational practice and additional practice as applicable. 3. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan Please submit the Facility CQI Plan document. 4. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please submit the Individual CQI/PD Plan document for each staff member. 5. Verification of Self-Study If applicable, please submit the Verification of Self-Study form. 6. Child Observations If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan is in place to conduct child observations. 7. Curriculum or Approved Curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a curriculum is in place. 8. Approved Formative Assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that an approved formative assessment is in place. 9. Formative Assessment shared with families If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually or twice annually is in place. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. Training related to the chosen curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. 13. Training related to the chosen formative assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. Carpets/rugs through the facility had more visible dirt that what should have accumulated in one day. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls throughout the facility had areas of chipping paint. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(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. A photograph was missing from the emergency and identifying information for three out of the four children transported on a regular basis to and from the facility to and from the local public school. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers, Angela Hale (CBC dated 04/13/2023) and Pati Sanchez (CBC dated 07/08/2025), who were responsible for supervising children while delivering services to children outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 were not listed on the ABCMS staff roster. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a completion certificate as proof of having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2824 (b & c), floors and floor coverings in sleeping and play areas shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeting used as a floor covering shall be of closely woven construction and shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeted floors shall be vacuumed daily when children are not present in the room, except to clean up spills. During today’s visit, the area carpets throughout the facility were visibly soiled with an amount of dirt and grime uncommon for one morning of use. To correct this violation, I suggest you monitor the daily cleaning of each classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care sanitation requirement, I suggest you review the daily and weekly cleaning schedule for the facility and the sanitation requirements for daily and weekly cleaning of a child care center. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls and ceilings, including doors and windows, should be kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. During today’s visit, peeling paint was visible on the walls throughout the facility. To correct this violation, I suggest you touch up or repaint the walls throughout the facility. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggest you touch up the peeling paint as soon as it becomes visible. 3. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, the emergency information form for three out of the four children who are transported on a regular basis from the facility to the local public school did not have a photograph attached. The administrator printed a photograph of the four children and stapled it to the emergency information form which corrected this violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 4. 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. Today, I observed a staff roster for the facility established on the ABCMS portal. However, two staff members employed by the facility since the last monitoring visit were not listed on the facility’s ABCMS staff roster. Therefore, the division was not notified within five business days of employment. To correct this violation, the two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 should be added to the facility staff roster in the ABCMS Provider Portal. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired. 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. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should update the information in the ABCMS portal regarding new hires and staff members as they separate from employment. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff including substitute staff members should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A copy of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training completion certificate should be kept in the staff record file for verification each year. If the staff member loses their completion certificate, the training should be taken again. During today’s visit, one staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a copy of the completion certificate to verify having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file. To correct this violation, I suggest that within the next two weeks you secure a copy of the staff member’s completion certificate or request that the staff member complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training and provide you with a copy of the completion certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you require all staff to complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 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 an uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not need to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a valid 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 needs a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, one uncompensated provider, Pati Sanchez, who was responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Sanchez had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 07/08/2025 with an expiration date of 07/08/2030 resulting in a violation. While monitoring staff files, one uncompensated provider responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom, Angela Hale, did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Hale had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 04/13/2023 with an expiration date of 04/13/2028 resulting in a violation. To correct this violation, you need to secure a copy of the CBC qualification letters from Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez. Copies of their CBC qualification letters should be sent to me along with the compliance letter documentation within two weeks. If the violation is corrected as stated within two weeks, Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez’s may continue to supervise children while providing services to children outside of the classrooms. If copies of Ms. Hale’s and Ms. Sanchez’s CBC qualification letters cannot be secured, their therapy services may be delivered in the classroom setting under the direct supervision of the teacher or in the office area under the direct supervision of the administrator. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you secure a CBC qualification letter any new uncompensated providers that do not have a letter on file and establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggest 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. CONSULTATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE: 1. Remember that the ECERS-3 assessment will be completed in three hours with no interview process. If the assessors do not observe an indicator in action or posted as required, there will be no opportunity to explain the omission. 2. If your current classroom schedule and routine allows for outside play after 11am, you may want to revise your classroom schedule to include outside play in the first three hours of the school day. If you choose to make a schedule change, I suggest you make those changes as soon as possible and to begin to train the children and staff in the new routine. 3. Allow bleach water to sit on surfaces at least two minutes before wiping off or using the surface. 4. Ensure that children wash hands upon arrival, before and after water play, after messy art/play dough play, after coming in from outside, before eating, after toileting/diapering and after coughing/sneezing, etc. 5. Ensure that learning centers are accessible a substantial portion of the day and that your daily schedule reflects it. Areas that must be made available for a minimum of 2hrs and 10 minutes to meet the “Substantial Portion of the Day” requirement are: Fine Motor, Art, Blocks, Dramatic Play, Nature/Science/Exploration, Math/Numbers, and Books. 6. Ensure that children go outside every day weather permitting. 7. Ensure that your block centers are protected from foot traffic, large enough for three children to build a sizeable structure and enough blocks for three children to build. 8. Ensure that books and materials are in good repair and no books depict violent images (guns, swords, teeth bearing). 9. Ensure that the majority of direction/redirection is positive instead of negative. 10. Ensure that staff member's pocket books are stored in locked storage since they almost always contain medications or lotions that must be inaccessible to children. 11. Ensure that staff are interacting with children, engaging in meaningful conversations, and helping children work through altercations and conflicts as they occur. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. During today’s visit, we also discussed Ms. Hatton’s qualifications as an administrator. At the time of Ms. Hatton’s employment on September 16, 2025, Ms. Hatton did not meet the pre-service requirements for an administrator. Today, Ms. Hatton was able to provide documentation which I used to verify that Ms. Hatton enrolled in administrator credential coursework within six months of assuming responsibilities as the administrator. Please be reminded that Ms. Hatton has eighteen months to complete the administrator credential coursework. However, when the rated license reassessment is initiated and completed, Ms. Hatton’s current education and administrator qualifications will be reported. 2. As discussed today, the new staff member that received the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) training has four months after completing the training to complete or update the facility’s EPR Plan and review it with the staff. The EPR Plan must be updated/completed on a template provided by the Division available at https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/#. 3. School-age children should be signed in to the facility in the morning by their parent and signed out of the facility in the morning by the staff member who provides transportation when they leave the facility with the staff member to be transported to the local public school. School-age children should be signed in to the facility upon arrival in the afternoon by the staff member that provides transportation and signed out by the responsible adult that picks them up in the afternoon. 4. Rooms occupied by children should not be used to store overflow equipment and/or materials. 5. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 6. 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. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 9. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 10. 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: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item number 1124 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective action taken today to correct the violation. 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) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than March 18, 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 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/4/2026 Age: From 1 To 11 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 10:00 AM Time Out: 04:30 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. Carla Hatton, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 26, 2025. Your program currently operates with a four star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. 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 outside the gym. The fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill. Lead water testing is required to be completed every three years. This facility’s lead water test results dated August 20, 2024 indicates that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. Today, I verified that the lead-based paint test results dated September 25, 2025 indicated that this facility has no lead-based paint hazards. The asbestos test results dated October 23, 2025 indicated that this facility also has no asbestos hazards. 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. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated and I observed no infant-aged children were enrolled. No school-aged children were present during today’s visit due to the public school calendar and hours of operation. Supervision, adequate approved space use, capacity and group size, staff/child ratios 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 to and from a local public school for school-age students. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION: During a routine unannounced visit on October 23, 2025 and again today, I discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025 with Ms. Hatton and Elizabeth Philhower, Administrative Assistant. While this facility may initiate the rated license assessment process at any time by submitting the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, I suggest you submit your application based on the following dates depending on your assessment option choice: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, April 1, 2026. • Immediately begin your three-month self-study using the ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and SACERS-U books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care as soon as you complete the three-month study. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, May 1, 2026. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum for all ages served.) • Arrange coaching or training options for the administrator and lead teachers if applicable. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, August 1, 2026. • Ensure all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. 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. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios, reduced enhanced staff/child ratios, and enhanced space capacity. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION In addition to the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, please be prepared to 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 Please submit the Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers document along with a written description of your plan to implement each foundational practice and additional practice as applicable. 3. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan Please submit the Facility CQI Plan document. 4. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please submit the Individual CQI/PD Plan document for each staff member. 5. Verification of Self-Study If applicable, please submit the Verification of Self-Study form. 6. Child Observations If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan is in place to conduct child observations. 7. Curriculum or Approved Curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a curriculum is in place. 8. Approved Formative Assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that an approved formative assessment is in place. 9. Formative Assessment shared with families If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually or twice annually is in place. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. Training related to the chosen curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. 13. Training related to the chosen formative assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. Carpets/rugs through the facility had more visible dirt that what should have accumulated in one day. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls throughout the facility had areas of chipping paint. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(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. A photograph was missing from the emergency and identifying information for three out of the four children transported on a regular basis to and from the facility to and from the local public school. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers, Angela Hale (CBC dated 04/13/2023) and Pati Sanchez (CBC dated 07/08/2025), who were responsible for supervising children while delivering services to children outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 were not listed on the ABCMS staff roster. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a completion certificate as proof of having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2824 (b & c), floors and floor coverings in sleeping and play areas shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeting used as a floor covering shall be of closely woven construction and shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeted floors shall be vacuumed daily when children are not present in the room, except to clean up spills. During today’s visit, the area carpets throughout the facility were visibly soiled with an amount of dirt and grime uncommon for one morning of use. To correct this violation, I suggest you monitor the daily cleaning of each classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care sanitation requirement, I suggest you review the daily and weekly cleaning schedule for the facility and the sanitation requirements for daily and weekly cleaning of a child care center. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls and ceilings, including doors and windows, should be kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. During today’s visit, peeling paint was visible on the walls throughout the facility. To correct this violation, I suggest you touch up or repaint the walls throughout the facility. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggest you touch up the peeling paint as soon as it becomes visible. 3. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, the emergency information form for three out of the four children who are transported on a regular basis from the facility to the local public school did not have a photograph attached. The administrator printed a photograph of the four children and stapled it to the emergency information form which corrected this violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 4. 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. Today, I observed a staff roster for the facility established on the ABCMS portal. However, two staff members employed by the facility since the last monitoring visit were not listed on the facility’s ABCMS staff roster. Therefore, the division was not notified within five business days of employment. To correct this violation, the two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 should be added to the facility staff roster in the ABCMS Provider Portal. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired. 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. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should update the information in the ABCMS portal regarding new hires and staff members as they separate from employment. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff including substitute staff members should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A copy of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training completion certificate should be kept in the staff record file for verification each year. If the staff member loses their completion certificate, the training should be taken again. During today’s visit, one staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a copy of the completion certificate to verify having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file. To correct this violation, I suggest that within the next two weeks you secure a copy of the staff member’s completion certificate or request that the staff member complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training and provide you with a copy of the completion certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you require all staff to complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 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 an uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not need to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a valid 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 needs a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, one uncompensated provider, Pati Sanchez, who was responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Sanchez had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 07/08/2025 with an expiration date of 07/08/2030 resulting in a violation. While monitoring staff files, one uncompensated provider responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom, Angela Hale, did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Hale had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 04/13/2023 with an expiration date of 04/13/2028 resulting in a violation. To correct this violation, you need to secure a copy of the CBC qualification letters from Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez. Copies of their CBC qualification letters should be sent to me along with the compliance letter documentation within two weeks. If the violation is corrected as stated within two weeks, Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez’s may continue to supervise children while providing services to children outside of the classrooms. If copies of Ms. Hale’s and Ms. Sanchez’s CBC qualification letters cannot be secured, their therapy services may be delivered in the classroom setting under the direct supervision of the teacher or in the office area under the direct supervision of the administrator. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you secure a CBC qualification letter any new uncompensated providers that do not have a letter on file and establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggest 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. CONSULTATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE: 1. Remember that the ECERS-3 assessment will be completed in three hours with no interview process. If the assessors do not observe an indicator in action or posted as required, there will be no opportunity to explain the omission. 2. If your current classroom schedule and routine allows for outside play after 11am, you may want to revise your classroom schedule to include outside play in the first three hours of the school day. If you choose to make a schedule change, I suggest you make those changes as soon as possible and to begin to train the children and staff in the new routine. 3. Allow bleach water to sit on surfaces at least two minutes before wiping off or using the surface. 4. Ensure that children wash hands upon arrival, before and after water play, after messy art/play dough play, after coming in from outside, before eating, after toileting/diapering and after coughing/sneezing, etc. 5. Ensure that learning centers are accessible a substantial portion of the day and that your daily schedule reflects it. Areas that must be made available for a minimum of 2hrs and 10 minutes to meet the “Substantial Portion of the Day” requirement are: Fine Motor, Art, Blocks, Dramatic Play, Nature/Science/Exploration, Math/Numbers, and Books. 6. Ensure that children go outside every day weather permitting. 7. Ensure that your block centers are protected from foot traffic, large enough for three children to build a sizeable structure and enough blocks for three children to build. 8. Ensure that books and materials are in good repair and no books depict violent images (guns, swords, teeth bearing). 9. Ensure that the majority of direction/redirection is positive instead of negative. 10. Ensure that staff member's pocket books are stored in locked storage since they almost always contain medications or lotions that must be inaccessible to children. 11. Ensure that staff are interacting with children, engaging in meaningful conversations, and helping children work through altercations and conflicts as they occur. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. During today’s visit, we also discussed Ms. Hatton’s qualifications as an administrator. At the time of Ms. Hatton’s employment on September 16, 2025, Ms. Hatton did not meet the pre-service requirements for an administrator. Today, Ms. Hatton was able to provide documentation which I used to verify that Ms. Hatton enrolled in administrator credential coursework within six months of assuming responsibilities as the administrator. Please be reminded that Ms. Hatton has eighteen months to complete the administrator credential coursework. However, when the rated license reassessment is initiated and completed, Ms. Hatton’s current education and administrator qualifications will be reported. 2. As discussed today, the new staff member that received the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) training has four months after completing the training to complete or update the facility’s EPR Plan and review it with the staff. The EPR Plan must be updated/completed on a template provided by the Division available at https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/#. 3. School-age children should be signed in to the facility in the morning by their parent and signed out of the facility in the morning by the staff member who provides transportation when they leave the facility with the staff member to be transported to the local public school. School-age children should be signed in to the facility upon arrival in the afternoon by the staff member that provides transportation and signed out by the responsible adult that picks them up in the afternoon. 4. Rooms occupied by children should not be used to store overflow equipment and/or materials. 5. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 6. 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. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 9. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 10. 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: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item number 1124 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective action taken today to correct the violation. 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) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than March 18, 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 .2703 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/4/2026 Age: From 1 To 11 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 10:00 AM Time Out: 04:30 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. Carla Hatton, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 26, 2025. Your program currently operates with a four star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. 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 outside the gym. The fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill. Lead water testing is required to be completed every three years. This facility’s lead water test results dated August 20, 2024 indicates that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. Today, I verified that the lead-based paint test results dated September 25, 2025 indicated that this facility has no lead-based paint hazards. The asbestos test results dated October 23, 2025 indicated that this facility also has no asbestos hazards. 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. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated and I observed no infant-aged children were enrolled. No school-aged children were present during today’s visit due to the public school calendar and hours of operation. Supervision, adequate approved space use, capacity and group size, staff/child ratios 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 to and from a local public school for school-age students. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION: During a routine unannounced visit on October 23, 2025 and again today, I discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025 with Ms. Hatton and Elizabeth Philhower, Administrative Assistant. While this facility may initiate the rated license assessment process at any time by submitting the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, I suggest you submit your application based on the following dates depending on your assessment option choice: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, April 1, 2026. • Immediately begin your three-month self-study using the ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and SACERS-U books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care as soon as you complete the three-month study. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, May 1, 2026. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum for all ages served.) • Arrange coaching or training options for the administrator and lead teachers if applicable. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, August 1, 2026. • Ensure all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. 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. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios, reduced enhanced staff/child ratios, and enhanced space capacity. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION In addition to the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, please be prepared to 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 Please submit the Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers document along with a written description of your plan to implement each foundational practice and additional practice as applicable. 3. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan Please submit the Facility CQI Plan document. 4. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please submit the Individual CQI/PD Plan document for each staff member. 5. Verification of Self-Study If applicable, please submit the Verification of Self-Study form. 6. Child Observations If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan is in place to conduct child observations. 7. Curriculum or Approved Curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a curriculum is in place. 8. Approved Formative Assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that an approved formative assessment is in place. 9. Formative Assessment shared with families If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually or twice annually is in place. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. Training related to the chosen curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. 13. Training related to the chosen formative assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. Carpets/rugs through the facility had more visible dirt that what should have accumulated in one day. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls throughout the facility had areas of chipping paint. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(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. A photograph was missing from the emergency and identifying information for three out of the four children transported on a regular basis to and from the facility to and from the local public school. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers, Angela Hale (CBC dated 04/13/2023) and Pati Sanchez (CBC dated 07/08/2025), who were responsible for supervising children while delivering services to children outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 were not listed on the ABCMS staff roster. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a completion certificate as proof of having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2824 (b & c), floors and floor coverings in sleeping and play areas shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeting used as a floor covering shall be of closely woven construction and shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeted floors shall be vacuumed daily when children are not present in the room, except to clean up spills. During today’s visit, the area carpets throughout the facility were visibly soiled with an amount of dirt and grime uncommon for one morning of use. To correct this violation, I suggest you monitor the daily cleaning of each classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care sanitation requirement, I suggest you review the daily and weekly cleaning schedule for the facility and the sanitation requirements for daily and weekly cleaning of a child care center. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls and ceilings, including doors and windows, should be kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. During today’s visit, peeling paint was visible on the walls throughout the facility. To correct this violation, I suggest you touch up or repaint the walls throughout the facility. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggest you touch up the peeling paint as soon as it becomes visible. 3. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, the emergency information form for three out of the four children who are transported on a regular basis from the facility to the local public school did not have a photograph attached. The administrator printed a photograph of the four children and stapled it to the emergency information form which corrected this violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 4. 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. Today, I observed a staff roster for the facility established on the ABCMS portal. However, two staff members employed by the facility since the last monitoring visit were not listed on the facility’s ABCMS staff roster. Therefore, the division was not notified within five business days of employment. To correct this violation, the two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 should be added to the facility staff roster in the ABCMS Provider Portal. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired. 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. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should update the information in the ABCMS portal regarding new hires and staff members as they separate from employment. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff including substitute staff members should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A copy of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training completion certificate should be kept in the staff record file for verification each year. If the staff member loses their completion certificate, the training should be taken again. During today’s visit, one staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a copy of the completion certificate to verify having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file. To correct this violation, I suggest that within the next two weeks you secure a copy of the staff member’s completion certificate or request that the staff member complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training and provide you with a copy of the completion certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you require all staff to complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 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 an uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not need to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a valid 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 needs a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, one uncompensated provider, Pati Sanchez, who was responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Sanchez had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 07/08/2025 with an expiration date of 07/08/2030 resulting in a violation. While monitoring staff files, one uncompensated provider responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom, Angela Hale, did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Hale had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 04/13/2023 with an expiration date of 04/13/2028 resulting in a violation. To correct this violation, you need to secure a copy of the CBC qualification letters from Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez. Copies of their CBC qualification letters should be sent to me along with the compliance letter documentation within two weeks. If the violation is corrected as stated within two weeks, Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez’s may continue to supervise children while providing services to children outside of the classrooms. If copies of Ms. Hale’s and Ms. Sanchez’s CBC qualification letters cannot be secured, their therapy services may be delivered in the classroom setting under the direct supervision of the teacher or in the office area under the direct supervision of the administrator. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you secure a CBC qualification letter any new uncompensated providers that do not have a letter on file and establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggest 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. CONSULTATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE: 1. Remember that the ECERS-3 assessment will be completed in three hours with no interview process. If the assessors do not observe an indicator in action or posted as required, there will be no opportunity to explain the omission. 2. If your current classroom schedule and routine allows for outside play after 11am, you may want to revise your classroom schedule to include outside play in the first three hours of the school day. If you choose to make a schedule change, I suggest you make those changes as soon as possible and to begin to train the children and staff in the new routine. 3. Allow bleach water to sit on surfaces at least two minutes before wiping off or using the surface. 4. Ensure that children wash hands upon arrival, before and after water play, after messy art/play dough play, after coming in from outside, before eating, after toileting/diapering and after coughing/sneezing, etc. 5. Ensure that learning centers are accessible a substantial portion of the day and that your daily schedule reflects it. Areas that must be made available for a minimum of 2hrs and 10 minutes to meet the “Substantial Portion of the Day” requirement are: Fine Motor, Art, Blocks, Dramatic Play, Nature/Science/Exploration, Math/Numbers, and Books. 6. Ensure that children go outside every day weather permitting. 7. Ensure that your block centers are protected from foot traffic, large enough for three children to build a sizeable structure and enough blocks for three children to build. 8. Ensure that books and materials are in good repair and no books depict violent images (guns, swords, teeth bearing). 9. Ensure that the majority of direction/redirection is positive instead of negative. 10. Ensure that staff member's pocket books are stored in locked storage since they almost always contain medications or lotions that must be inaccessible to children. 11. Ensure that staff are interacting with children, engaging in meaningful conversations, and helping children work through altercations and conflicts as they occur. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. During today’s visit, we also discussed Ms. Hatton’s qualifications as an administrator. At the time of Ms. Hatton’s employment on September 16, 2025, Ms. Hatton did not meet the pre-service requirements for an administrator. Today, Ms. Hatton was able to provide documentation which I used to verify that Ms. Hatton enrolled in administrator credential coursework within six months of assuming responsibilities as the administrator. Please be reminded that Ms. Hatton has eighteen months to complete the administrator credential coursework. However, when the rated license reassessment is initiated and completed, Ms. Hatton’s current education and administrator qualifications will be reported. 2. As discussed today, the new staff member that received the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) training has four months after completing the training to complete or update the facility’s EPR Plan and review it with the staff. The EPR Plan must be updated/completed on a template provided by the Division available at https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/#. 3. School-age children should be signed in to the facility in the morning by their parent and signed out of the facility in the morning by the staff member who provides transportation when they leave the facility with the staff member to be transported to the local public school. School-age children should be signed in to the facility upon arrival in the afternoon by the staff member that provides transportation and signed out by the responsible adult that picks them up in the afternoon. 4. Rooms occupied by children should not be used to store overflow equipment and/or materials. 5. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 6. 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. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 9. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 10. 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: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item number 1124 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective action taken today to correct the violation. 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) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than March 18, 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: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/4/2026 Age: From 1 To 11 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 10:00 AM Time Out: 04:30 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. Carla Hatton, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 26, 2025. Your program currently operates with a four star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. 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 outside the gym. The fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill. Lead water testing is required to be completed every three years. This facility’s lead water test results dated August 20, 2024 indicates that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. Today, I verified that the lead-based paint test results dated September 25, 2025 indicated that this facility has no lead-based paint hazards. The asbestos test results dated October 23, 2025 indicated that this facility also has no asbestos hazards. 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. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated and I observed no infant-aged children were enrolled. No school-aged children were present during today’s visit due to the public school calendar and hours of operation. Supervision, adequate approved space use, capacity and group size, staff/child ratios 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 to and from a local public school for school-age students. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION: During a routine unannounced visit on October 23, 2025 and again today, I discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025 with Ms. Hatton and Elizabeth Philhower, Administrative Assistant. While this facility may initiate the rated license assessment process at any time by submitting the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, I suggest you submit your application based on the following dates depending on your assessment option choice: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, April 1, 2026. • Immediately begin your three-month self-study using the ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and SACERS-U books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care as soon as you complete the three-month study. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, May 1, 2026. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum for all ages served.) • Arrange coaching or training options for the administrator and lead teachers if applicable. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, August 1, 2026. • Ensure all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. 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. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios, reduced enhanced staff/child ratios, and enhanced space capacity. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION In addition to the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, please be prepared to 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 Please submit the Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers document along with a written description of your plan to implement each foundational practice and additional practice as applicable. 3. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan Please submit the Facility CQI Plan document. 4. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please submit the Individual CQI/PD Plan document for each staff member. 5. Verification of Self-Study If applicable, please submit the Verification of Self-Study form. 6. Child Observations If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan is in place to conduct child observations. 7. Curriculum or Approved Curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a curriculum is in place. 8. Approved Formative Assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that an approved formative assessment is in place. 9. Formative Assessment shared with families If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually or twice annually is in place. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. Training related to the chosen curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. 13. Training related to the chosen formative assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. Carpets/rugs through the facility had more visible dirt that what should have accumulated in one day. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls throughout the facility had areas of chipping paint. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(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. A photograph was missing from the emergency and identifying information for three out of the four children transported on a regular basis to and from the facility to and from the local public school. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers, Angela Hale (CBC dated 04/13/2023) and Pati Sanchez (CBC dated 07/08/2025), who were responsible for supervising children while delivering services to children outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 were not listed on the ABCMS staff roster. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a completion certificate as proof of having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2824 (b & c), floors and floor coverings in sleeping and play areas shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeting used as a floor covering shall be of closely woven construction and shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeted floors shall be vacuumed daily when children are not present in the room, except to clean up spills. During today’s visit, the area carpets throughout the facility were visibly soiled with an amount of dirt and grime uncommon for one morning of use. To correct this violation, I suggest you monitor the daily cleaning of each classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care sanitation requirement, I suggest you review the daily and weekly cleaning schedule for the facility and the sanitation requirements for daily and weekly cleaning of a child care center. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls and ceilings, including doors and windows, should be kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. During today’s visit, peeling paint was visible on the walls throughout the facility. To correct this violation, I suggest you touch up or repaint the walls throughout the facility. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggest you touch up the peeling paint as soon as it becomes visible. 3. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, the emergency information form for three out of the four children who are transported on a regular basis from the facility to the local public school did not have a photograph attached. The administrator printed a photograph of the four children and stapled it to the emergency information form which corrected this violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 4. 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. Today, I observed a staff roster for the facility established on the ABCMS portal. However, two staff members employed by the facility since the last monitoring visit were not listed on the facility’s ABCMS staff roster. Therefore, the division was not notified within five business days of employment. To correct this violation, the two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 should be added to the facility staff roster in the ABCMS Provider Portal. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired. 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. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should update the information in the ABCMS portal regarding new hires and staff members as they separate from employment. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff including substitute staff members should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A copy of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training completion certificate should be kept in the staff record file for verification each year. If the staff member loses their completion certificate, the training should be taken again. During today’s visit, one staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a copy of the completion certificate to verify having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file. To correct this violation, I suggest that within the next two weeks you secure a copy of the staff member’s completion certificate or request that the staff member complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training and provide you with a copy of the completion certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you require all staff to complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 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 an uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not need to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a valid 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 needs a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, one uncompensated provider, Pati Sanchez, who was responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Sanchez had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 07/08/2025 with an expiration date of 07/08/2030 resulting in a violation. While monitoring staff files, one uncompensated provider responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom, Angela Hale, did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Hale had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 04/13/2023 with an expiration date of 04/13/2028 resulting in a violation. To correct this violation, you need to secure a copy of the CBC qualification letters from Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez. Copies of their CBC qualification letters should be sent to me along with the compliance letter documentation within two weeks. If the violation is corrected as stated within two weeks, Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez’s may continue to supervise children while providing services to children outside of the classrooms. If copies of Ms. Hale’s and Ms. Sanchez’s CBC qualification letters cannot be secured, their therapy services may be delivered in the classroom setting under the direct supervision of the teacher or in the office area under the direct supervision of the administrator. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you secure a CBC qualification letter any new uncompensated providers that do not have a letter on file and establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggest 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. CONSULTATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE: 1. Remember that the ECERS-3 assessment will be completed in three hours with no interview process. If the assessors do not observe an indicator in action or posted as required, there will be no opportunity to explain the omission. 2. If your current classroom schedule and routine allows for outside play after 11am, you may want to revise your classroom schedule to include outside play in the first three hours of the school day. If you choose to make a schedule change, I suggest you make those changes as soon as possible and to begin to train the children and staff in the new routine. 3. Allow bleach water to sit on surfaces at least two minutes before wiping off or using the surface. 4. Ensure that children wash hands upon arrival, before and after water play, after messy art/play dough play, after coming in from outside, before eating, after toileting/diapering and after coughing/sneezing, etc. 5. Ensure that learning centers are accessible a substantial portion of the day and that your daily schedule reflects it. Areas that must be made available for a minimum of 2hrs and 10 minutes to meet the “Substantial Portion of the Day” requirement are: Fine Motor, Art, Blocks, Dramatic Play, Nature/Science/Exploration, Math/Numbers, and Books. 6. Ensure that children go outside every day weather permitting. 7. Ensure that your block centers are protected from foot traffic, large enough for three children to build a sizeable structure and enough blocks for three children to build. 8. Ensure that books and materials are in good repair and no books depict violent images (guns, swords, teeth bearing). 9. Ensure that the majority of direction/redirection is positive instead of negative. 10. Ensure that staff member's pocket books are stored in locked storage since they almost always contain medications or lotions that must be inaccessible to children. 11. Ensure that staff are interacting with children, engaging in meaningful conversations, and helping children work through altercations and conflicts as they occur. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. During today’s visit, we also discussed Ms. Hatton’s qualifications as an administrator. At the time of Ms. Hatton’s employment on September 16, 2025, Ms. Hatton did not meet the pre-service requirements for an administrator. Today, Ms. Hatton was able to provide documentation which I used to verify that Ms. Hatton enrolled in administrator credential coursework within six months of assuming responsibilities as the administrator. Please be reminded that Ms. Hatton has eighteen months to complete the administrator credential coursework. However, when the rated license reassessment is initiated and completed, Ms. Hatton’s current education and administrator qualifications will be reported. 2. As discussed today, the new staff member that received the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) training has four months after completing the training to complete or update the facility’s EPR Plan and review it with the staff. The EPR Plan must be updated/completed on a template provided by the Division available at https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/#. 3. School-age children should be signed in to the facility in the morning by their parent and signed out of the facility in the morning by the staff member who provides transportation when they leave the facility with the staff member to be transported to the local public school. School-age children should be signed in to the facility upon arrival in the afternoon by the staff member that provides transportation and signed out by the responsible adult that picks them up in the afternoon. 4. Rooms occupied by children should not be used to store overflow equipment and/or materials. 5. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 6. 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. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 9. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 10. 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: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item number 1124 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective action taken today to correct the violation. 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) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than March 18, 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/4/2026 Age: From 1 To 11 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 10:00 AM Time Out: 04:30 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. Carla Hatton, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 26, 2025. Your program currently operates with a four star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. 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 outside the gym. The fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill. Lead water testing is required to be completed every three years. This facility’s lead water test results dated August 20, 2024 indicates that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. Today, I verified that the lead-based paint test results dated September 25, 2025 indicated that this facility has no lead-based paint hazards. The asbestos test results dated October 23, 2025 indicated that this facility also has no asbestos hazards. 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. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, and napped. You stated and I observed no infant-aged children were enrolled. No school-aged children were present during today’s visit due to the public school calendar and hours of operation. Supervision, adequate approved space use, capacity and group size, staff/child ratios 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 to and from a local public school for school-age students. RATED LICENSE DOCUMENTATION AND DISCUSSION: During a routine unannounced visit on October 23, 2025 and again today, I discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025 with Ms. Hatton and Elizabeth Philhower, Administrative Assistant. While this facility may initiate the rated license assessment process at any time by submitting the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, I suggest you submit your application based on the following dates depending on your assessment option choice: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, April 1, 2026. • Immediately begin your three-month self-study using the ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and SACERS-U books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care as soon as you complete the three-month study. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, May 1, 2026. • Confirm all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify and implement facility and individual CQI goals. • Develop and implement strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum for all ages served.) • Arrange coaching or training options for the administrator and lead teachers if applicable. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, August 1, 2026. • Ensure all staff have active and up to date WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. 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. RECEIVED, REVIEWED, VERIFIED 1. Enhanced Staff/Child Ratios and Enhanced Space Today, I verified that this facility maintains enhanced staff/child ratios, reduced enhanced staff/child ratios, and enhanced space capacity. OUTSTANDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION In addition to the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers”, please be prepared to 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 Please submit the Family and Community Engagement Standards Child Care Centers document along with a written description of your plan to implement each foundational practice and additional practice as applicable. 3. Facility Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan Please submit the Facility CQI Plan document. 4. Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Professional Development (PD) Plan Individual Please submit the Individual CQI/PD Plan document for each staff member. 5. Verification of Self-Study If applicable, please submit the Verification of Self-Study form. 6. Child Observations If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan is in place to conduct child observations. 7. Curriculum or Approved Curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a curriculum is in place. 8. Approved Formative Assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that an approved formative assessment is in place. 9. Formative Assessment shared with families If applicable, please submit documentation that can be used to verify that a plan to share the formative assessment with families annually or twice annually is in place. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. Training related to the chosen curriculum If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the curriculum. 13. Training related to the chosen formative assessment If applicable, please submit documentation that the administrator and if applicable lead teachers have received training related to the formative assessment. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. Carpets/rugs through the facility had more visible dirt that what should have accumulated in one day. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls throughout the facility had areas of chipping paint. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(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. A photograph was missing from the emergency and identifying information for three out of the four children transported on a regular basis to and from the facility to and from the local public school. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Two uncompensated providers, Angela Hale (CBC dated 04/13/2023) and Pati Sanchez (CBC dated 07/08/2025), who were responsible for supervising children while delivering services to children outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 were not listed on the ABCMS staff roster. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a completion certificate as proof of having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2824 (b & c), floors and floor coverings in sleeping and play areas shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeting used as a floor covering shall be of closely woven construction and shall be kept clean and in good repair. Carpeted floors shall be vacuumed daily when children are not present in the room, except to clean up spills. During today’s visit, the area carpets throughout the facility were visibly soiled with an amount of dirt and grime uncommon for one morning of use. To correct this violation, I suggest you monitor the daily cleaning of each classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care sanitation requirement, I suggest you review the daily and weekly cleaning schedule for the facility and the sanitation requirements for daily and weekly cleaning of a child care center. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls and ceilings, including doors and windows, should be kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. During today’s visit, peeling paint was visible on the walls throughout the facility. To correct this violation, I suggest you touch up or repaint the walls throughout the facility. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggest you touch up the peeling paint as soon as it becomes visible. 3. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, the emergency information form for three out of the four children who are transported on a regular basis from the facility to the local public school did not have a photograph attached. The administrator printed a photograph of the four children and stapled it to the emergency information form which corrected this violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 4. 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. Today, I observed a staff roster for the facility established on the ABCMS portal. However, two staff members employed by the facility since the last monitoring visit were not listed on the facility’s ABCMS staff roster. Therefore, the division was not notified within five business days of employment. To correct this violation, the two new staff members with dates of employment of 11/24/2025 and 01/08/2026 should be added to the facility staff roster in the ABCMS Provider Portal. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired. 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. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should update the information in the ABCMS portal regarding new hires and staff members as they separate from employment. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff including substitute staff members should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A copy of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training completion certificate should be kept in the staff record file for verification each year. If the staff member loses their completion certificate, the training should be taken again. During today’s visit, one staff member with a date of employment of 11/24/2025 did not have a copy of the completion certificate to verify having completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file. To correct this violation, I suggest that within the next two weeks you secure a copy of the staff member’s completion certificate or request that the staff member complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training and provide you with a copy of the completion certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you require all staff to complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 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 an uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not need to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a valid 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 needs a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, one uncompensated provider, Pati Sanchez, who was responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Sanchez had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 07/08/2025 with an expiration date of 07/08/2030 resulting in a violation. While monitoring staff files, one uncompensated provider responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to a child outside of the classroom, Angela Hale, did not have a CBC qualification letter on file at the facility. As verified in the ABCMS database, Ms. Hale had a valid and current CBC qualification dated 04/13/2023 with an expiration date of 04/13/2028 resulting in a violation. To correct this violation, you need to secure a copy of the CBC qualification letters from Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez. Copies of their CBC qualification letters should be sent to me along with the compliance letter documentation within two weeks. If the violation is corrected as stated within two weeks, Ms. Hale and Ms. Sanchez’s may continue to supervise children while providing services to children outside of the classrooms. If copies of Ms. Hale’s and Ms. Sanchez’s CBC qualification letters cannot be secured, their therapy services may be delivered in the classroom setting under the direct supervision of the teacher or in the office area under the direct supervision of the administrator. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you secure a CBC qualification letter any new uncompensated providers that do not have a letter on file and establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggest 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. CONSULTATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE: 1. Remember that the ECERS-3 assessment will be completed in three hours with no interview process. If the assessors do not observe an indicator in action or posted as required, there will be no opportunity to explain the omission. 2. If your current classroom schedule and routine allows for outside play after 11am, you may want to revise your classroom schedule to include outside play in the first three hours of the school day. If you choose to make a schedule change, I suggest you make those changes as soon as possible and to begin to train the children and staff in the new routine. 3. Allow bleach water to sit on surfaces at least two minutes before wiping off or using the surface. 4. Ensure that children wash hands upon arrival, before and after water play, after messy art/play dough play, after coming in from outside, before eating, after toileting/diapering and after coughing/sneezing, etc. 5. Ensure that learning centers are accessible a substantial portion of the day and that your daily schedule reflects it. Areas that must be made available for a minimum of 2hrs and 10 minutes to meet the “Substantial Portion of the Day” requirement are: Fine Motor, Art, Blocks, Dramatic Play, Nature/Science/Exploration, Math/Numbers, and Books. 6. Ensure that children go outside every day weather permitting. 7. Ensure that your block centers are protected from foot traffic, large enough for three children to build a sizeable structure and enough blocks for three children to build. 8. Ensure that books and materials are in good repair and no books depict violent images (guns, swords, teeth bearing). 9. Ensure that the majority of direction/redirection is positive instead of negative. 10. Ensure that staff member's pocket books are stored in locked storage since they almost always contain medications or lotions that must be inaccessible to children. 11. Ensure that staff are interacting with children, engaging in meaningful conversations, and helping children work through altercations and conflicts as they occur. ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION: 1. During today’s visit, we also discussed Ms. Hatton’s qualifications as an administrator. At the time of Ms. Hatton’s employment on September 16, 2025, Ms. Hatton did not meet the pre-service requirements for an administrator. Today, Ms. Hatton was able to provide documentation which I used to verify that Ms. Hatton enrolled in administrator credential coursework within six months of assuming responsibilities as the administrator. Please be reminded that Ms. Hatton has eighteen months to complete the administrator credential coursework. However, when the rated license reassessment is initiated and completed, Ms. Hatton’s current education and administrator qualifications will be reported. 2. As discussed today, the new staff member that received the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) training has four months after completing the training to complete or update the facility’s EPR Plan and review it with the staff. The EPR Plan must be updated/completed on a template provided by the Division available at https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/#. 3. School-age children should be signed in to the facility in the morning by their parent and signed out of the facility in the morning by the staff member who provides transportation when they leave the facility with the staff member to be transported to the local public school. School-age children should be signed in to the facility upon arrival in the afternoon by the staff member that provides transportation and signed out by the responsible adult that picks them up in the afternoon. 4. Rooms occupied by children should not be used to store overflow equipment and/or materials. 5. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 6. 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. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 9. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 10. 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: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item number 1124 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective action taken today to correct the violation. 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) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than March 18, 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/23/2025 Number Present: 6 Completed Date: 10/23/2025 Age: From 0 To 7 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 12:50 PM Time In: 01:50 PM Time Out: 05:00 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, Carla Hatton, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 26, 2025. 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 including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc. that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on October 22, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 90% as of October 22, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center combined turnover rate being 20% of less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the past twelve months. On July 31, 2025, Robert Combs, Jr., owner, contacted me by email to notify me that this facility was temporarily closed due to staffing. Mr. Combs informed me that the children and remaining staff had been relocated to his other center in Hickory, Children’s Academy 1. Mr. Combs informed me that this facility would reopen as soon as a new administrator and teachers could be hired and trained. On September 15, 2025, Elizabeth Philhower, Administrative Assistant, contacted me by email to notify me that this facility would be reopening during the week of September 15, 2025 and a new administrator had been hired. During today’s visit, Ms. Hatton informed me that this facility reopened on September 16, 2025. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2025 and received during today’s meeting. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated May 20, 2025 with a superior classification and four demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was completed. The most recent lead water test results dated August 20, 2024 indicated that the facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that lead-based paint results dated September 30, 2025 indicated that the facility is free of lead-based paint hazards based on documents submitted by the facility. I verified that asbestos testing was completed, and test results dated October 8, 2025 indicated that your facility is free of asbestos hazards. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum for a four-star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. Children in Space 4 transitioned to outdoor play, played outdoors, transitioned to indoor play, and participated in music activities. Children in Space 5 engaged in floor play and played outdoors. School-age children arrived to Space 1 at 3:35pm, ate snack, read books with the group leader, and explored learning materials with the group leader. Children in Spaces 4 and 5 ate lunch, napped, ate snack, departed, and had basic personal care needs attended to by the teacher. You and I completed a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces today with no hazards observed. 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. Infant bottles and food were stored at thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located Space 5 (Infants). Today’s lunch and snack met the meal pattern requirements. 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 two returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of Basic School Age Care training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member. I reviewed staff record files for three new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on March 26, 2025. A staff and training worksheet was provided today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at routine unannounced visit on June 6, 2024. 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 observed and cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. One school-age child had a blanket permission to transport to and from the local public school that was valid from 10/01/2024 to 10/01/2025. The facility was providing transportation but the permission to transport form had not been updated. .1003(i)(j) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. DCDEE was not notified of the employment status of established employees at this facility by listing all employees on an ABCMS staff roster. Three new employees with dates of employment of 08/25/2025, 09/08/2025, and 09/16/2025 had not been added to the facility's ABCMS staff roster. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. 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. Today, I observed no ABCMS roster established for your facility and DCDEE was not notified of staff employment within five business days of employment of new employees hired since your last monitoring visit on March 26, 2025. To correct this violation, please follow the instructions below: 1. You will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. 2. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. 3. 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. 4. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. 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 with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. 2 Per child care rule .1003(i & j), parents should sign a transportation permission form to be transported to and from the center to the local public school and the permission form may be valid for up to twelve months. During today’s visit, one school-age child had a written permission to transport form dated 10/01/2024 through 10/1/2025 giving the facility permission to transport the child from the center to the child’s public school and from the public school to the center. Since this permission form expired on 10/01/2025, the center no longer had permission to transport the child after 10/01/2025. However, the transportation roster indicated that this child had been transported 10/02/2025 through today which resulted in a violation. During today’s visit, the parent of the child signed a new permission to transport form with a new twelve month date span which corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review your transportation monthly to ensure all paperwork and documentation is up to date and current. CONSULTATION: 1. During today’s visit, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. We covered enhanced ratios and space expectations, staff education including ensuring all staff have WORKS accounts, understanding the 50% requirement for lead teachers and for other educators, and how work experience may count, the Family and Community Engagement Foundational Practices, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan for the Facility and Individuals, Self-Study and Coaching/Mentoring or Training. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than the date of your next monitoring visit. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than, ____________. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Begin planning for your three-month self-study using the applicable ITERS-3, ECERS-3, SACERS-U, OR FCCERS-3 books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. o Access resources, trainings, and outreach via ncrlap.org. o Work with CCR&R or Smart Start for support in preparation. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • If four-year-old children are enrolled, select and implement an approved curriculum. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than the date of your next monitoring visit. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum and formative assessment tool for all ages.) • Arranging coaching or training options for administrators and lead teachers. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant no later than the date of your next monitoring visit. • Ensure all staff have active WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. 2. Today, the following child care requirements were reviewed with Ms. Hatton as the new administrator: a. Activity materials for infant, one-year, and two-year-old children b. Use of cribs as sleep apparatus only c. Sleep Check Logs d. Surfacing depths for stationary outdoor equipment e. Maintaining the Ready to Go file information for staff and children f. Maintaining the transportation information g. Fire inspection sent to consultant within one week of inspection h. Correcting sanitation violations. 3. Today, we scheduled a Technical Assistance (TA) visit for December 9, 2025 from 2pm to 4pm. I will complete a “New Administrator” training during that TA visit. Please allow a two-hour block of uninterrupted time so that we can meet in your office to review child care requirements including staff records, child records, and program records. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. If you purchase or change vehicles for transporting children, please request for the vehicle to be approved prior to using the new vehicle. A monitoring visit will be scheduled, and I’ll need to approve transportation and/or the new vehicle before you can use the vehicle. 6. 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. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 9. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 10. 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: 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. I must receive your compliance letter no later than November 6, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. 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 my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you and your staff 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .0508 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .0607 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .0713 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .1001 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .1005 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/26/2025 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 385 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: 01:35 PM Time Out: 04:35 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 17, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, fax number, email address, or mailing address, for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit including the restrictions on your license, licensed capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained during today’s visit. Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., the corporation that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website March 10, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 92% as of March 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning four points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point for the center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and six demerits. I verified that on December 10, 2024, you received lead water testing results that are required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that prior to today’s visit you completed the required enrollment for lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 4, 2024 and was received in my office on September 11, 2024. Upon my arrival, I walked through Spaces 2, 3, and 4 to locate Ms. Murdock in Space 5. As I entered Space 4, I observed the door between Space 4 and 5 standing open with children walking between the two classrooms. I observed one classroom teacher sweeping the floor in Space 4 and Ms. Murdock and a classroom teacher in Space 5. I observed ten children ranging in age from infant to three years wandering between the two classrooms. The classroom teacher in Space 5 was holding an infant child. Ms. Murdock stated she was giving the classroom teacher in Space 4 a bathroom break and they were in the process of separating the two groups of children. After approximately two minutes, the two groups were separated with five children ages infant to one year old remaining in Space 5 with one classroom teacher and five children ages two to three years moving to Space 4 with one classroom teacher. I continued my walk-through visiting each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas, transitioning to outdoor play, transitioning to indoor activity, participating in whole group teacher directed activities, eating lunch, and napping. Infant children were observed playing with materials and floor play. 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. 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 tuna salad, diced carrots, applesauce, whole wheat saltines, 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 a compact refrigerator at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Space 5. 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 routine unannounced visits on December 1, 2022, December 19, 2023, and November 21, 2024. Today, you stated that your written polices had not changed since June 2024 and your parent participation plan had not changed since December 2022. 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 316 Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. Two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attended, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Along the back fence line of the outdoor space area designated for preschool and school-age use, fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was present at the bottom of the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One administrative substitute who had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated on January 31, 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 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. One administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. .0701(a) 1106 Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device. One child booster seat being used to transport school-age children expired in 2022. GS 110-91(13) 1826 Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. One administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated on December 3, 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. .0607(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(g), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and may not have gaps measuring more than three and one-half inches but less than nine inches. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the back fence line and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the back fence line. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. 2. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. Today, in Space 2 where school-age children were enrolled and attend, no daily schedule for school-age children was posted in the classroom. During the visit, Ms. Murdock printed and posted a daily schedule in the classroom which included a schedule for before school, after school, and full day attendance which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain and post a copy of the daily schedule for the ages of children enrolled and attending in each classroom which can be referenced by teachers and parents. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5), children under one year of age should be kept separate from children two years and older. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6), children between twelve and twenty-four months of age should not be grouped with children three years of age or older. Today in a Space 5, I observed two children under age one and three children twelve to twenty-four months were allowed to mingle with four children two years of age and one child three years of age as children walked in and out of an opened door between Spaces 4 and 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the age grouping requirements with your staff. I also suggest you create and implement a plan for relieving classroom staff for bathroom breaks that eliminates the use of the interior walk-through doors which is allowing children to mingle and roam from one classroom to another. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a), all child care providers should have an emergency information form on file on or before the first day of work. The emergency information form should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of an emergency, and the responsible party's choice of health care professional. The emergency information form should be updated as changes occur and at least annually. Today, one administrative substitute had not updated their Emergency Information form since 2023. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute completed a new Emergency Information form and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you have each employee including your administrative assistant that substitutes for the administrator update their emergency information form at a designated staff meeting annually. This practice will allow you to get as many employees as possible on the same annual update schedule and make tracking easier for you to maintain. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0607(f), all staff including substitutes should review the center's Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan with the trained staff during orientation, on an annual basis, or when the plan is updated for any reason. Documentation of the initial review and the annual review should be maintained on file. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EPR Plan when it was updated in December 2024 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to the reviewing the EPR Plan on December 3, 2024 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you have each staff member including the administrative substitute sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed when the plan is reviewed. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a), the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan should be reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Today, one administrative substitute had reviewed the EMC Plan when it was updated in January 2025 but had not signed documentation and placed the documentation of the review in their file. During today’s visit, the administrative substitute signed an acknowledgement statement attesting to reviewing the EMC Plan on January 31, 2025 and Ms. Murdock placed it in the employee’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care rule, I suggested you have each staff member sign and date a statement or roster as documentation that the plan was reviewed. 7. 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/. Today, one child booster seat being used to transport school-age children had expired in 2022. During today’s visit, Ms. Murdock removed the expired child booster 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. CONSULTATION: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the toilet bases in Spaces 3 and 4 and then wipe them clean daily. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1005(b)(3), parents should sign an off-premises activity permission form for each off-premises activity. Blanket permission forms for “all planned activities” is no longer allowed. Please use the Off-Premises Activity Permission form found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3. Per child care rule .1003(i & j), prior to transporting children to an off-premises activity, parent permission to transport should be secured for the child transported to the activity. 4. 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 begin include and begin using the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” 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 and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are 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 3- or 5-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 any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. 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 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 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: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 9, 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 .0713 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0624-198L Visit Date: 6/20/2024 Number Present: 26 Completed Date: 6/20/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 460 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 12:55 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to investigate a report received in the Raleigh office. You, Ashley Murdock, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. According to the report, there are concerns that the posted staff-child ratios are not being followed and of inadequate supervision. Today, I investigated the allegation regarding posted staff-child ratios not being followed. Upon arrival at 8:45am, I immediately walked through the facility gathering a count of children and staff present in each classroom. From 8:45am to 9:00am, I observed four children four and five years of age and six children of school-age in Space 2 with one staff member, eight children two and three years of age in Space 3 with one staff member, six children one year of age in Space 4 with one staff member, and two children under one year of age present in Space 5 with one staff member. No additional children arrived at the facility after 9:00am. Today, I interviewed six staff members. Staff members stated they could not recall any times that staff-child ratios were not being followed. You stated that you were on vacation beginning June 3, 2024 and returned to work at 2:00pm on June 6, 2024. You stated two staff members with administrative qualifications were on staff while you were on vacation. You stated you provided instructions for the assistant administrative staff to follow in order to maintain staff-child ratios while you were on vacation. You stated two staff members including the person in charge in your absence had given a two-week notice of resignation prior to your vacation with one staff member’s last day of employment being May 31, 2024 and the person in charge last day of employment being June 6, 2024. You stated the administrative assistant for the owner of your facility checked in with the person in charge each day of your vacation and offered to come assist if needed but the person in charge declined the offer for assistance. I reviewed child and staff sign-in and sign-out records from May 28, 2024 through June 20, 2024. According to sign-in and sign-out records for both children and staff and staff scheduling information you provided through the interview process, I determined staff-child ratios were not maintained throughout the center from June 3, 2024 through June 6, 2024 during your vacation, June 10, 2024, and on several occasions during naptime while operating with reduced staff since June 3, 2024. Based on child and staff sign-in/sign-out records and staff interviews, the allegation regarding staff-child ratio was confirmed and therefore is substantiated. Today, I investigated the allegation regarding inadequate supervision. While monitoring staff-child ratios from 8:45am to 9:00am and naptime from 12:45pm to 12:55pm, I observed children adequately supervised. I interviewed six staff members. Staff members stated they could not recall any times that children were not adequately supervised. Based on my observations and staff interviews, inadequate supervision could not be confirmed. Therefore, the allegation regarding inadequate supervision is unsubstantiated. The following violations were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 317 The staff/child ratios for children, two years and older, during naptime were not maintained by having at least one person in each room, visually supervising all children and the total number of required staff on the premises within calling distance of each room occupied by children. On several occasions beginning June 3, 2024, one staff member sat in the doorway between Space 2 and 3 while supervising both groups of children ranging from two years to ten years of age. .1801(b) 318 Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older. On June 10, 2024, one one-year-old child enrolled in Space 4 was moved to Space 3 to join two-year and three-year-old children in order to maintain staff/child ratio in Space 4. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. After monitoring attendance records, arrival and departure records, and staff timesheets, it was determined that enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not maintained. On June 3, 2024 in Space 3, one staff member supervised twelve two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised eight one-year-old children. On June 4, 2024, in Space 3, one staff member supervised thirteen two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised eight one-year-old children. On June 5, 2024, in Space 3, one staff member supervised eleven two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised eight one-year-old children. On June 6, 2024, in Space 3, one staff member supervised thirteen two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised seven one-year-old children. On June 10, 2024, in Space 2, one staff member supervised fifteen four-year to ten-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1 Per General Statute 110-91(7) and child care rules 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a-e) and .2818, your child care facility should maintain enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care including except during the first and last hour of the operating day and during naptime for children two years and older and maintain age grouping requirements. To maintain compliance with these child care requirements, you stated that when operating with limited staff it is the facility’s common practice to move children from classroom to classroom, limit the number of children in care in each age group, send children home, decline care, and request staff work through their break when necessary. I recommended you continue to take any measures necessary to maintain enhanced staff to child ratios, age grouping requirements, and enhanced group size capacities across the entire operating day including the first and last hour of the operating day and naptime. Except for the first and last hour of the operating day, children between the ages of 12 months and 24 months should not be grouped with older children unless all children in the group are less than three years of age. Infants should only be grouped with one-year-old children. One-year-old children should only be grouped with infants or two-year-old children. The maximum enhanced group size for each age group is as follows: no more than five infants with one staff member or ten infants with two staff members, no more than six one-year-old children with one staff member or twelve one-year-old children with two staff members, no more than nine two-year-old children with one staff member or eighteen two-year-old children with two staff members, no more than ten three-year-old children with one staff member or twenty three-year-old children with two staff members, no more than thirteen four-year-old children with one staff member or twenty-five four-year-old children with two staff members, and no more than fifteen five-year-old or older children with one staff member or twenty-five five-year-old or older children with two staff members. During naptime at least one staff member should be assigned and present in each classroom, visually supervising all the children. Staff should not sit in the doorway between two classrooms to supervise each classroom while only one staff member is present. During naptime, the total number of required staff should be on the premises within calling distance of each classroom occupied by children. CONSULTATION: 1 As discussed today, you may find the use of “Head Count Sheets” helpful to track the movement of children from one classroom to another throughout the day. 2 As discussed today, you may find it helpful to have staff members sign in and out on the classroom arrival and departure records to capture the actual time the staff members are in the building including the times before they clock in in the morning and times they clock out for break and at the end of the day but stay in the classroom in order to maintain staff-child ratios for the facility. 3 As discussed today, any time an allegation is substantiated the Division may decide to administer an administrative action to the facility. A follow-up visit will be made and the findings of this investigation will be shared with the Division. 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 4, 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 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0624-198L Visit Date: 6/20/2024 Number Present: 26 Completed Date: 6/20/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 460 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 12:55 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to investigate a report received in the Raleigh office. You, Ashley Murdock, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. According to the report, there are concerns that the posted staff-child ratios are not being followed and of inadequate supervision. Today, I investigated the allegation regarding posted staff-child ratios not being followed. Upon arrival at 8:45am, I immediately walked through the facility gathering a count of children and staff present in each classroom. From 8:45am to 9:00am, I observed four children four and five years of age and six children of school-age in Space 2 with one staff member, eight children two and three years of age in Space 3 with one staff member, six children one year of age in Space 4 with one staff member, and two children under one year of age present in Space 5 with one staff member. No additional children arrived at the facility after 9:00am. Today, I interviewed six staff members. Staff members stated they could not recall any times that staff-child ratios were not being followed. You stated that you were on vacation beginning June 3, 2024 and returned to work at 2:00pm on June 6, 2024. You stated two staff members with administrative qualifications were on staff while you were on vacation. You stated you provided instructions for the assistant administrative staff to follow in order to maintain staff-child ratios while you were on vacation. You stated two staff members including the person in charge in your absence had given a two-week notice of resignation prior to your vacation with one staff member’s last day of employment being May 31, 2024 and the person in charge last day of employment being June 6, 2024. You stated the administrative assistant for the owner of your facility checked in with the person in charge each day of your vacation and offered to come assist if needed but the person in charge declined the offer for assistance. I reviewed child and staff sign-in and sign-out records from May 28, 2024 through June 20, 2024. According to sign-in and sign-out records for both children and staff and staff scheduling information you provided through the interview process, I determined staff-child ratios were not maintained throughout the center from June 3, 2024 through June 6, 2024 during your vacation, June 10, 2024, and on several occasions during naptime while operating with reduced staff since June 3, 2024. Based on child and staff sign-in/sign-out records and staff interviews, the allegation regarding staff-child ratio was confirmed and therefore is substantiated. Today, I investigated the allegation regarding inadequate supervision. While monitoring staff-child ratios from 8:45am to 9:00am and naptime from 12:45pm to 12:55pm, I observed children adequately supervised. I interviewed six staff members. Staff members stated they could not recall any times that children were not adequately supervised. Based on my observations and staff interviews, inadequate supervision could not be confirmed. Therefore, the allegation regarding inadequate supervision is unsubstantiated. The following violations were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 317 The staff/child ratios for children, two years and older, during naptime were not maintained by having at least one person in each room, visually supervising all children and the total number of required staff on the premises within calling distance of each room occupied by children. On several occasions beginning June 3, 2024, one staff member sat in the doorway between Space 2 and 3 while supervising both groups of children ranging from two years to ten years of age. .1801(b) 318 Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older. On June 10, 2024, one one-year-old child enrolled in Space 4 was moved to Space 3 to join two-year and three-year-old children in order to maintain staff/child ratio in Space 4. 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. After monitoring attendance records, arrival and departure records, and staff timesheets, it was determined that enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not maintained. On June 3, 2024 in Space 3, one staff member supervised twelve two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised eight one-year-old children. On June 4, 2024, in Space 3, one staff member supervised thirteen two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised eight one-year-old children. On June 5, 2024, in Space 3, one staff member supervised eleven two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised eight one-year-old children. On June 6, 2024, in Space 3, one staff member supervised thirteen two-year and three-year-old children and in Space 4, one staff member supervised seven one-year-old children. On June 10, 2024, in Space 2, one staff member supervised fifteen four-year to ten-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1 Per General Statute 110-91(7) and child care rules 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a-e) and .2818, your child care facility should maintain enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care including except during the first and last hour of the operating day and during naptime for children two years and older and maintain age grouping requirements. To maintain compliance with these child care requirements, you stated that when operating with limited staff it is the facility’s common practice to move children from classroom to classroom, limit the number of children in care in each age group, send children home, decline care, and request staff work through their break when necessary. I recommended you continue to take any measures necessary to maintain enhanced staff to child ratios, age grouping requirements, and enhanced group size capacities across the entire operating day including the first and last hour of the operating day and naptime. Except for the first and last hour of the operating day, children between the ages of 12 months and 24 months should not be grouped with older children unless all children in the group are less than three years of age. Infants should only be grouped with one-year-old children. One-year-old children should only be grouped with infants or two-year-old children. The maximum enhanced group size for each age group is as follows: no more than five infants with one staff member or ten infants with two staff members, no more than six one-year-old children with one staff member or twelve one-year-old children with two staff members, no more than nine two-year-old children with one staff member or eighteen two-year-old children with two staff members, no more than ten three-year-old children with one staff member or twenty three-year-old children with two staff members, no more than thirteen four-year-old children with one staff member or twenty-five four-year-old children with two staff members, and no more than fifteen five-year-old or older children with one staff member or twenty-five five-year-old or older children with two staff members. During naptime at least one staff member should be assigned and present in each classroom, visually supervising all the children. Staff should not sit in the doorway between two classrooms to supervise each classroom while only one staff member is present. During naptime, the total number of required staff should be on the premises within calling distance of each classroom occupied by children. CONSULTATION: 1 As discussed today, you may find the use of “Head Count Sheets” helpful to track the movement of children from one classroom to another throughout the day. 2 As discussed today, you may find it helpful to have staff members sign in and out on the classroom arrival and departure records to capture the actual time the staff members are in the building including the times before they clock in in the morning and times they clock out for break and at the end of the day but stay in the classroom in order to maintain staff-child ratios for the facility. 3 As discussed today, any time an allegation is substantiated the Division may decide to administer an administrative action to the facility. A follow-up visit will be made and the findings of this investigation will be shared with the Division. 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 4, 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: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/17/2024 Number Present: 32 Completed Date: 4/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 377 Time In: 09:03 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:10 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 9, 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 School of North Carolina, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was reviewed and listed as current- active on the NC Secretary of State website on April 16, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 90% as of April 16, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months (only applicable if the program has earned 4 points or higher in education). You stated and I verified that you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum required for a four-star facility serving four- and five-year-old children. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 19, 2023 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and was received in my office on September 25, 2023. You and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outside, participating in teacher directed art activities and group activities, eating lunch, and napping. 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. 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 included chicken tenders, green beans, pears, whole wheat bread, and milk. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant) at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. 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 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. In Space 3, sand and water play was not offered at least weekly to two- and three-year-old children. .0510(c)(3) 615 Beds, cots and mats were not in good repair, properly handled, stored, or clean and sanitized between users. In Space 5, the mattress in the evacuation crib has two tears that have been repaired with clear tape. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Criminal Background Check qualification letters were not on file for two therapists that visited the facility and delivered therapy services to children outside the classrooms and unsupervised by qualified staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. On the playground for preschool and school-age children, the mulch depth within the fall zone of the swings was between two and eleven inches and the mulch depth within the fall zone of the composite piece was between four and seven inches. .0605(k)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/03/2023 was due on or before 02/03/2024 but was not completed until 03/26/2024. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/27/2023 was due 02/27/2024 but the staff member had not completed training for nine out of the eleven training topics. .1102(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s are required to complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I observed two staff members hired in February 2023 had not completed their H&S training by February 2024 as required. One staff member needs to complete nine out of the eleven H&S training topics and one staff member completed the H&S training in March 2024. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require your new staff members to complete their H&S training within the first six weeks of employment and/or before being left alone to supervise children but at least within the first year as required. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k)(1-4), the depth of the loose surfacing should be maintained at a depth based on critical height of the equipment. During today’s visit, the mulch surfacing around and under the swings on the playground designated for preschool and school-age use measured between two and eleven inches under and within the fall zones of the swings and between four and seven inches at the base of the slides and within the fall zones of the stationary composite piece. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you use a tiller to fluff the mulch you have in place and then rake that mulch to a depth of at least six inches within the fall zones of the swings and the composite piece. I suggest you ask a staff member to volunteer to be responsible for raking the mulch surfacing back in place after the morning and afternoon outside play routines. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. During today’s visit, the mattress in the evacuation crib in Space 5 (Infants) had two tears in the vinyl covering that had been repaired with clear tape. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, the mattress should be replaced or recovered. 4. Per 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, the classroom for two- and three-year-old children did not have materials in the classroom or outside ready to offer sand and water play at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase sand and water play materials and equipment for the classroom and require your staff to offer these activities to the children at least weekly. 5. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. During today’s visit, two therapists visited your facility and worked with two children in your office area with no staff present but a CBC qualification letter was not on file for these two therapists. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you contact these therapists and request a copy of their CBC qualification letter at their next visit to your facility. CONSULTATION: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies should 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. When two- and three-year old children are cared for in the same classroom, the materials in the activity areas should meet the requirements for three-year-old children. 2. Prior to employment, child care providers and uncompensated providers excluding substitute providers and volunteers are required to provide a medical report statement signed by a health care professional that indicates that the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. A medical visit summary printed at a well visit is not acceptable documentation since it does not include a statement indicating the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. We suggest you use the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form. 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, we suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form to remind health care professionals that the date of the assessment is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 3. A health physical exam and copy of the immunization record are required to be in each child’s record file within 30 days of the child’s enrollment date. Acceptable forms of documentation for the health exam include the Children’s Medical Report form located on the DCDEE website or the kindergarten health assessment form. The information shared on a medical visit summary printed from a child’s wellness visit does not include all the information included on the Children’s Medical Report form found on DCDEE’s website and therefore, should no longer be accepted as documentation of the health physical exam. In addition, we have noticed that some doctor offices are using an outdated Children’s Medical Report from DCDEE. Be sure to include the current Children’s Medical Report document in your application packets. 4. As discussed today, the van your facility uses to transport children needs an interior cleaning. It is best practice to maintain the same sanitation standards for your van as you do for your building. 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 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  ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality  If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment  Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year  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 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 May 1, 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/17/2024 Number Present: 32 Completed Date: 4/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 377 Time In: 09:03 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:10 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 9, 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 School of North Carolina, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was reviewed and listed as current- active on the NC Secretary of State website on April 16, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 90% as of April 16, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months (only applicable if the program has earned 4 points or higher in education). You stated and I verified that you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum required for a four-star facility serving four- and five-year-old children. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 19, 2023 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and was received in my office on September 25, 2023. You and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outside, participating in teacher directed art activities and group activities, eating lunch, and napping. 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. 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 included chicken tenders, green beans, pears, whole wheat bread, and milk. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant) at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. 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 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. In Space 3, sand and water play was not offered at least weekly to two- and three-year-old children. .0510(c)(3) 615 Beds, cots and mats were not in good repair, properly handled, stored, or clean and sanitized between users. In Space 5, the mattress in the evacuation crib has two tears that have been repaired with clear tape. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Criminal Background Check qualification letters were not on file for two therapists that visited the facility and delivered therapy services to children outside the classrooms and unsupervised by qualified staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. On the playground for preschool and school-age children, the mulch depth within the fall zone of the swings was between two and eleven inches and the mulch depth within the fall zone of the composite piece was between four and seven inches. .0605(k)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/03/2023 was due on or before 02/03/2024 but was not completed until 03/26/2024. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/27/2023 was due 02/27/2024 but the staff member had not completed training for nine out of the eleven training topics. .1102(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s are required to complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I observed two staff members hired in February 2023 had not completed their H&S training by February 2024 as required. One staff member needs to complete nine out of the eleven H&S training topics and one staff member completed the H&S training in March 2024. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require your new staff members to complete their H&S training within the first six weeks of employment and/or before being left alone to supervise children but at least within the first year as required. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k)(1-4), the depth of the loose surfacing should be maintained at a depth based on critical height of the equipment. During today’s visit, the mulch surfacing around and under the swings on the playground designated for preschool and school-age use measured between two and eleven inches under and within the fall zones of the swings and between four and seven inches at the base of the slides and within the fall zones of the stationary composite piece. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you use a tiller to fluff the mulch you have in place and then rake that mulch to a depth of at least six inches within the fall zones of the swings and the composite piece. I suggest you ask a staff member to volunteer to be responsible for raking the mulch surfacing back in place after the morning and afternoon outside play routines. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. During today’s visit, the mattress in the evacuation crib in Space 5 (Infants) had two tears in the vinyl covering that had been repaired with clear tape. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, the mattress should be replaced or recovered. 4. Per 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, the classroom for two- and three-year-old children did not have materials in the classroom or outside ready to offer sand and water play at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase sand and water play materials and equipment for the classroom and require your staff to offer these activities to the children at least weekly. 5. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. During today’s visit, two therapists visited your facility and worked with two children in your office area with no staff present but a CBC qualification letter was not on file for these two therapists. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you contact these therapists and request a copy of their CBC qualification letter at their next visit to your facility. CONSULTATION: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies should 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. When two- and three-year old children are cared for in the same classroom, the materials in the activity areas should meet the requirements for three-year-old children. 2. Prior to employment, child care providers and uncompensated providers excluding substitute providers and volunteers are required to provide a medical report statement signed by a health care professional that indicates that the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. A medical visit summary printed at a well visit is not acceptable documentation since it does not include a statement indicating the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. We suggest you use the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form. 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, we suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form to remind health care professionals that the date of the assessment is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 3. A health physical exam and copy of the immunization record are required to be in each child’s record file within 30 days of the child’s enrollment date. Acceptable forms of documentation for the health exam include the Children’s Medical Report form located on the DCDEE website or the kindergarten health assessment form. The information shared on a medical visit summary printed from a child’s wellness visit does not include all the information included on the Children’s Medical Report form found on DCDEE’s website and therefore, should no longer be accepted as documentation of the health physical exam. In addition, we have noticed that some doctor offices are using an outdated Children’s Medical Report from DCDEE. Be sure to include the current Children’s Medical Report document in your application packets. 4. As discussed today, the van your facility uses to transport children needs an interior cleaning. It is best practice to maintain the same sanitation standards for your van as you do for your building. 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 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  ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality  If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment  Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year  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 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 May 1, 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 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/17/2024 Number Present: 32 Completed Date: 4/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 377 Time In: 09:03 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:10 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 9, 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 School of North Carolina, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was reviewed and listed as current- active on the NC Secretary of State website on April 16, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 90% as of April 16, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months (only applicable if the program has earned 4 points or higher in education). You stated and I verified that you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum required for a four-star facility serving four- and five-year-old children. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 19, 2023 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and was received in my office on September 25, 2023. You and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outside, participating in teacher directed art activities and group activities, eating lunch, and napping. 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. 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 included chicken tenders, green beans, pears, whole wheat bread, and milk. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant) at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. 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 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. In Space 3, sand and water play was not offered at least weekly to two- and three-year-old children. .0510(c)(3) 615 Beds, cots and mats were not in good repair, properly handled, stored, or clean and sanitized between users. In Space 5, the mattress in the evacuation crib has two tears that have been repaired with clear tape. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Criminal Background Check qualification letters were not on file for two therapists that visited the facility and delivered therapy services to children outside the classrooms and unsupervised by qualified staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. On the playground for preschool and school-age children, the mulch depth within the fall zone of the swings was between two and eleven inches and the mulch depth within the fall zone of the composite piece was between four and seven inches. .0605(k)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/03/2023 was due on or before 02/03/2024 but was not completed until 03/26/2024. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/27/2023 was due 02/27/2024 but the staff member had not completed training for nine out of the eleven training topics. .1102(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s are required to complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I observed two staff members hired in February 2023 had not completed their H&S training by February 2024 as required. One staff member needs to complete nine out of the eleven H&S training topics and one staff member completed the H&S training in March 2024. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require your new staff members to complete their H&S training within the first six weeks of employment and/or before being left alone to supervise children but at least within the first year as required. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k)(1-4), the depth of the loose surfacing should be maintained at a depth based on critical height of the equipment. During today’s visit, the mulch surfacing around and under the swings on the playground designated for preschool and school-age use measured between two and eleven inches under and within the fall zones of the swings and between four and seven inches at the base of the slides and within the fall zones of the stationary composite piece. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you use a tiller to fluff the mulch you have in place and then rake that mulch to a depth of at least six inches within the fall zones of the swings and the composite piece. I suggest you ask a staff member to volunteer to be responsible for raking the mulch surfacing back in place after the morning and afternoon outside play routines. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. During today’s visit, the mattress in the evacuation crib in Space 5 (Infants) had two tears in the vinyl covering that had been repaired with clear tape. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, the mattress should be replaced or recovered. 4. Per 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, the classroom for two- and three-year-old children did not have materials in the classroom or outside ready to offer sand and water play at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase sand and water play materials and equipment for the classroom and require your staff to offer these activities to the children at least weekly. 5. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. During today’s visit, two therapists visited your facility and worked with two children in your office area with no staff present but a CBC qualification letter was not on file for these two therapists. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you contact these therapists and request a copy of their CBC qualification letter at their next visit to your facility. CONSULTATION: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies should 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. When two- and three-year old children are cared for in the same classroom, the materials in the activity areas should meet the requirements for three-year-old children. 2. Prior to employment, child care providers and uncompensated providers excluding substitute providers and volunteers are required to provide a medical report statement signed by a health care professional that indicates that the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. A medical visit summary printed at a well visit is not acceptable documentation since it does not include a statement indicating the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. We suggest you use the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form. 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, we suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form to remind health care professionals that the date of the assessment is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 3. A health physical exam and copy of the immunization record are required to be in each child’s record file within 30 days of the child’s enrollment date. Acceptable forms of documentation for the health exam include the Children’s Medical Report form located on the DCDEE website or the kindergarten health assessment form. The information shared on a medical visit summary printed from a child’s wellness visit does not include all the information included on the Children’s Medical Report form found on DCDEE’s website and therefore, should no longer be accepted as documentation of the health physical exam. In addition, we have noticed that some doctor offices are using an outdated Children’s Medical Report from DCDEE. Be sure to include the current Children’s Medical Report document in your application packets. 4. As discussed today, the van your facility uses to transport children needs an interior cleaning. It is best practice to maintain the same sanitation standards for your van as you do for your building. 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 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  ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality  If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment  Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year  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 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 May 1, 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 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/17/2024 Number Present: 32 Completed Date: 4/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 377 Time In: 09:03 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:10 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 9, 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 School of North Carolina, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was reviewed and listed as current- active on the NC Secretary of State website on April 16, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 90% as of April 16, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months (only applicable if the program has earned 4 points or higher in education). You stated and I verified that you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum required for a four-star facility serving four- and five-year-old children. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 19, 2023 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and was received in my office on September 25, 2023. You and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outside, participating in teacher directed art activities and group activities, eating lunch, and napping. 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. 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 included chicken tenders, green beans, pears, whole wheat bread, and milk. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant) at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. 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 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. In Space 3, sand and water play was not offered at least weekly to two- and three-year-old children. .0510(c)(3) 615 Beds, cots and mats were not in good repair, properly handled, stored, or clean and sanitized between users. In Space 5, the mattress in the evacuation crib has two tears that have been repaired with clear tape. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Criminal Background Check qualification letters were not on file for two therapists that visited the facility and delivered therapy services to children outside the classrooms and unsupervised by qualified staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. On the playground for preschool and school-age children, the mulch depth within the fall zone of the swings was between two and eleven inches and the mulch depth within the fall zone of the composite piece was between four and seven inches. .0605(k)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/03/2023 was due on or before 02/03/2024 but was not completed until 03/26/2024. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/27/2023 was due 02/27/2024 but the staff member had not completed training for nine out of the eleven training topics. .1102(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s are required to complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I observed two staff members hired in February 2023 had not completed their H&S training by February 2024 as required. One staff member needs to complete nine out of the eleven H&S training topics and one staff member completed the H&S training in March 2024. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require your new staff members to complete their H&S training within the first six weeks of employment and/or before being left alone to supervise children but at least within the first year as required. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k)(1-4), the depth of the loose surfacing should be maintained at a depth based on critical height of the equipment. During today’s visit, the mulch surfacing around and under the swings on the playground designated for preschool and school-age use measured between two and eleven inches under and within the fall zones of the swings and between four and seven inches at the base of the slides and within the fall zones of the stationary composite piece. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you use a tiller to fluff the mulch you have in place and then rake that mulch to a depth of at least six inches within the fall zones of the swings and the composite piece. I suggest you ask a staff member to volunteer to be responsible for raking the mulch surfacing back in place after the morning and afternoon outside play routines. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. During today’s visit, the mattress in the evacuation crib in Space 5 (Infants) had two tears in the vinyl covering that had been repaired with clear tape. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, the mattress should be replaced or recovered. 4. Per 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, the classroom for two- and three-year-old children did not have materials in the classroom or outside ready to offer sand and water play at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase sand and water play materials and equipment for the classroom and require your staff to offer these activities to the children at least weekly. 5. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. During today’s visit, two therapists visited your facility and worked with two children in your office area with no staff present but a CBC qualification letter was not on file for these two therapists. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you contact these therapists and request a copy of their CBC qualification letter at their next visit to your facility. CONSULTATION: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies should 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. When two- and three-year old children are cared for in the same classroom, the materials in the activity areas should meet the requirements for three-year-old children. 2. Prior to employment, child care providers and uncompensated providers excluding substitute providers and volunteers are required to provide a medical report statement signed by a health care professional that indicates that the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. A medical visit summary printed at a well visit is not acceptable documentation since it does not include a statement indicating the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. We suggest you use the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form. 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, we suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form to remind health care professionals that the date of the assessment is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 3. A health physical exam and copy of the immunization record are required to be in each child’s record file within 30 days of the child’s enrollment date. Acceptable forms of documentation for the health exam include the Children’s Medical Report form located on the DCDEE website or the kindergarten health assessment form. The information shared on a medical visit summary printed from a child’s wellness visit does not include all the information included on the Children’s Medical Report form found on DCDEE’s website and therefore, should no longer be accepted as documentation of the health physical exam. In addition, we have noticed that some doctor offices are using an outdated Children’s Medical Report from DCDEE. Be sure to include the current Children’s Medical Report document in your application packets. 4. As discussed today, the van your facility uses to transport children needs an interior cleaning. It is best practice to maintain the same sanitation standards for your van as you do for your building. 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 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  ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality  If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment  Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year  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 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 May 1, 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 .2703 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/17/2024 Number Present: 32 Completed Date: 4/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 377 Time In: 09:03 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:10 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 9, 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 School of North Carolina, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was reviewed and listed as current- active on the NC Secretary of State website on April 16, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 90% as of April 16, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months (only applicable if the program has earned 4 points or higher in education). You stated and I verified that you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum required for a four-star facility serving four- and five-year-old children. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 19, 2023 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and was received in my office on September 25, 2023. You and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outside, participating in teacher directed art activities and group activities, eating lunch, and napping. 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. 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 included chicken tenders, green beans, pears, whole wheat bread, and milk. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant) at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. 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 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. In Space 3, sand and water play was not offered at least weekly to two- and three-year-old children. .0510(c)(3) 615 Beds, cots and mats were not in good repair, properly handled, stored, or clean and sanitized between users. In Space 5, the mattress in the evacuation crib has two tears that have been repaired with clear tape. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Criminal Background Check qualification letters were not on file for two therapists that visited the facility and delivered therapy services to children outside the classrooms and unsupervised by qualified staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. On the playground for preschool and school-age children, the mulch depth within the fall zone of the swings was between two and eleven inches and the mulch depth within the fall zone of the composite piece was between four and seven inches. .0605(k)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/03/2023 was due on or before 02/03/2024 but was not completed until 03/26/2024. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/27/2023 was due 02/27/2024 but the staff member had not completed training for nine out of the eleven training topics. .1102(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s are required to complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I observed two staff members hired in February 2023 had not completed their H&S training by February 2024 as required. One staff member needs to complete nine out of the eleven H&S training topics and one staff member completed the H&S training in March 2024. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require your new staff members to complete their H&S training within the first six weeks of employment and/or before being left alone to supervise children but at least within the first year as required. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k)(1-4), the depth of the loose surfacing should be maintained at a depth based on critical height of the equipment. During today’s visit, the mulch surfacing around and under the swings on the playground designated for preschool and school-age use measured between two and eleven inches under and within the fall zones of the swings and between four and seven inches at the base of the slides and within the fall zones of the stationary composite piece. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you use a tiller to fluff the mulch you have in place and then rake that mulch to a depth of at least six inches within the fall zones of the swings and the composite piece. I suggest you ask a staff member to volunteer to be responsible for raking the mulch surfacing back in place after the morning and afternoon outside play routines. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. During today’s visit, the mattress in the evacuation crib in Space 5 (Infants) had two tears in the vinyl covering that had been repaired with clear tape. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, the mattress should be replaced or recovered. 4. Per 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, the classroom for two- and three-year-old children did not have materials in the classroom or outside ready to offer sand and water play at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase sand and water play materials and equipment for the classroom and require your staff to offer these activities to the children at least weekly. 5. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. During today’s visit, two therapists visited your facility and worked with two children in your office area with no staff present but a CBC qualification letter was not on file for these two therapists. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you contact these therapists and request a copy of their CBC qualification letter at their next visit to your facility. CONSULTATION: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies should 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. When two- and three-year old children are cared for in the same classroom, the materials in the activity areas should meet the requirements for three-year-old children. 2. Prior to employment, child care providers and uncompensated providers excluding substitute providers and volunteers are required to provide a medical report statement signed by a health care professional that indicates that the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. A medical visit summary printed at a well visit is not acceptable documentation since it does not include a statement indicating the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. We suggest you use the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form. 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, we suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form to remind health care professionals that the date of the assessment is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 3. A health physical exam and copy of the immunization record are required to be in each child’s record file within 30 days of the child’s enrollment date. Acceptable forms of documentation for the health exam include the Children’s Medical Report form located on the DCDEE website or the kindergarten health assessment form. The information shared on a medical visit summary printed from a child’s wellness visit does not include all the information included on the Children’s Medical Report form found on DCDEE’s website and therefore, should no longer be accepted as documentation of the health physical exam. In addition, we have noticed that some doctor offices are using an outdated Children’s Medical Report from DCDEE. Be sure to include the current Children’s Medical Report document in your application packets. 4. As discussed today, the van your facility uses to transport children needs an interior cleaning. It is best practice to maintain the same sanitation standards for your van as you do for your building. 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 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  ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality  If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment  Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year  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 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 May 1, 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/17/2024 Number Present: 32 Completed Date: 4/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 377 Time In: 09:03 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:10 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, Ashley Murdock, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on May 9, 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 School of North Carolina, Inc., that owns your facility. I reviewed with you today the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was reviewed and listed as current- active on the NC Secretary of State website on April 16, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 90% as of April 16, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for center having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months (only applicable if the program has earned 4 points or higher in education). You stated and I verified that you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum required for a four-star facility serving four- and five-year-old children. Your last sanitation inspection was dated December 19, 2023 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and was received in my office on September 25, 2023. You and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outside, participating in teacher directed art activities and group activities, eating lunch, and napping. 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. 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 included chicken tenders, green beans, pears, whole wheat bread, and milk. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant) at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. 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 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. In Space 3, sand and water play was not offered at least weekly to two- and three-year-old children. .0510(c)(3) 615 Beds, cots and mats were not in good repair, properly handled, stored, or clean and sanitized between users. In Space 5, the mattress in the evacuation crib has two tears that have been repaired with clear tape. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Criminal Background Check qualification letters were not on file for two therapists that visited the facility and delivered therapy services to children outside the classrooms and unsupervised by qualified staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. On the playground for preschool and school-age children, the mulch depth within the fall zone of the swings was between two and eleven inches and the mulch depth within the fall zone of the composite piece was between four and seven inches. .0605(k)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/03/2023 was due on or before 02/03/2024 but was not completed until 03/26/2024. Health and safety training for one staff member with a date of employment of 02/27/2023 was due 02/27/2024 but the staff member had not completed training for nine out of the eleven training topics. .1102(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s are required to complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I observed two staff members hired in February 2023 had not completed their H&S training by February 2024 as required. One staff member needs to complete nine out of the eleven H&S training topics and one staff member completed the H&S training in March 2024. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require your new staff members to complete their H&S training within the first six weeks of employment and/or before being left alone to supervise children but at least within the first year as required. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k)(1-4), the depth of the loose surfacing should be maintained at a depth based on critical height of the equipment. During today’s visit, the mulch surfacing around and under the swings on the playground designated for preschool and school-age use measured between two and eleven inches under and within the fall zones of the swings and between four and seven inches at the base of the slides and within the fall zones of the stationary composite piece. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you use a tiller to fluff the mulch you have in place and then rake that mulch to a depth of at least six inches within the fall zones of the swings and the composite piece. I suggest you ask a staff member to volunteer to be responsible for raking the mulch surfacing back in place after the morning and afternoon outside play routines. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. During today’s visit, the mattress in the evacuation crib in Space 5 (Infants) had two tears in the vinyl covering that had been repaired with clear tape. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, the mattress should be replaced or recovered. 4. Per 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, the classroom for two- and three-year-old children did not have materials in the classroom or outside ready to offer sand and water play at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase sand and water play materials and equipment for the classroom and require your staff to offer these activities to the children at least weekly. 5. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. During today’s visit, two therapists visited your facility and worked with two children in your office area with no staff present but a CBC qualification letter was not on file for these two therapists. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you contact these therapists and request a copy of their CBC qualification letter at their next visit to your facility. CONSULTATION: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(d)(1), children’s books and literacy supplies should 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. When two- and three-year old children are cared for in the same classroom, the materials in the activity areas should meet the requirements for three-year-old children. 2. Prior to employment, child care providers and uncompensated providers excluding substitute providers and volunteers are required to provide a medical report statement signed by a health care professional that indicates that the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. A medical visit summary printed at a well visit is not acceptable documentation since it does not include a statement indicating the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. We suggest you use the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form. 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, we suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form to remind health care professionals that the date of the assessment is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 3. A health physical exam and copy of the immunization record are required to be in each child’s record file within 30 days of the child’s enrollment date. Acceptable forms of documentation for the health exam include the Children’s Medical Report form located on the DCDEE website or the kindergarten health assessment form. The information shared on a medical visit summary printed from a child’s wellness visit does not include all the information included on the Children’s Medical Report form found on DCDEE’s website and therefore, should no longer be accepted as documentation of the health physical exam. In addition, we have noticed that some doctor offices are using an outdated Children’s Medical Report from DCDEE. Be sure to include the current Children’s Medical Report document in your application packets. 4. As discussed today, the van your facility uses to transport children needs an interior cleaning. It is best practice to maintain the same sanitation standards for your van as you do for your building. 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 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  ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality  If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment  Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year  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 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 May 1, 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 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/19/2023 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 12/19/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Ashley Murdock, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards and 1 quality point for the center having a turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. You stated your program uses Creative Curriculum. Your center's compliance history was 90% as of December 18, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was current and active as reviewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on December 14, 2023 prior to today’s visit.. Your annual fire inspection was due in August 2023. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and received in my office on September 25, 2023. I observed and cited one violation. Your most recent sanitation inspection was completed today with a Superior classification and 7 demerits. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored all indoor and outdoor areas. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas and outdoors, eating lunch, and napping. 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 the current menu posted on a parent information board at the facility entrance door in the office area. I observed lunch prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed and cited no violations related to nutritional requirements or food preparation. I observed cold food and milk stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I observed infant bottles and infant food stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant Room). I observed and cited no violations related to food storage. I monitored hazardous product storage. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored medication storage and medication administration. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored general safety and discipline practices. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored program records including the emergency medical care plan, Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan, incident log, playground safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and safe arrival and departure procedures. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed eight staff record files for returning staff members in addition to the owner to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of Basic School Age Care training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety training. I observed and cited one violation. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at a routine unannounced visit on December 1, 2022. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies or the parent participation plan since December 1, 2022. I observed and cited no violations. I observed children adequately supervised, approved space used, minimum space capacities maintained, voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes maintained, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only” and “Meets enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. I observed and cited no violations. I observed and cited the following violations during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspection was due in August 2023 but completed on September 22, 2023 and received on September 25, 2023. Since the fire inspection was completed and received prior to today's visit, the violation was considered corrected. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Nine of ten health and safety training topics for one staff member with a date of employment of 08/06/2007 were due in 2022 but completed in 2023. One health and safety training topic due by 04/10/2022 was not completed. .1103(b) Technical Assistance: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the operator/administrator should schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the facility’s previous fire inspection. It is the responsibility of the operator/administrator to notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the facility’s annual fire inspection. The original copy of the approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you contact your local fire inspector at least the month before your fire inspection is due and request an annual inspection be completed and send the inspection report to me once received. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1103(b), returning employees should revisit each H&S Training topic every five years. The due date of the H&S training five-year renewal is calculated five years from the date on each H&S training certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review training requirements annually and attempt to get all employees on the same training requirement schedule. Consultation: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories (bathrooms) must be kept clean and in good repair. Your environmental health specialist observed classroom bathroom toilet bases visibly soiled from daily and long-term build-up. I suggested you start by deep cleaning the bathroom areas and all the toilets, sinks, sink fixtures, dispensers, and stools and replace any items that cannot be cleaned due to wear and excessive build-up. 2. The Permission to Administer forms for medications prescribed for chronic illnesses should be updated every six months. 3. In response to question regarding record retention, I advised you to look through child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .2318. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you 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 January 2, 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 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, 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 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/19/2023 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 12/19/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Ashley Murdock, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards and 1 quality point for the center having a turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. You stated your program uses Creative Curriculum. Your center's compliance history was 90% as of December 18, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was current and active as reviewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on December 14, 2023 prior to today’s visit.. Your annual fire inspection was due in August 2023. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and received in my office on September 25, 2023. I observed and cited one violation. Your most recent sanitation inspection was completed today with a Superior classification and 7 demerits. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored all indoor and outdoor areas. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas and outdoors, eating lunch, and napping. 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 the current menu posted on a parent information board at the facility entrance door in the office area. I observed lunch prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed and cited no violations related to nutritional requirements or food preparation. I observed cold food and milk stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I observed infant bottles and infant food stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant Room). I observed and cited no violations related to food storage. I monitored hazardous product storage. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored medication storage and medication administration. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored general safety and discipline practices. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored program records including the emergency medical care plan, Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan, incident log, playground safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and safe arrival and departure procedures. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed eight staff record files for returning staff members in addition to the owner to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of Basic School Age Care training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety training. I observed and cited one violation. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at a routine unannounced visit on December 1, 2022. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies or the parent participation plan since December 1, 2022. I observed and cited no violations. I observed children adequately supervised, approved space used, minimum space capacities maintained, voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes maintained, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only” and “Meets enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. I observed and cited no violations. I observed and cited the following violations during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspection was due in August 2023 but completed on September 22, 2023 and received on September 25, 2023. Since the fire inspection was completed and received prior to today's visit, the violation was considered corrected. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Nine of ten health and safety training topics for one staff member with a date of employment of 08/06/2007 were due in 2022 but completed in 2023. One health and safety training topic due by 04/10/2022 was not completed. .1103(b) Technical Assistance: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the operator/administrator should schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the facility’s previous fire inspection. It is the responsibility of the operator/administrator to notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the facility’s annual fire inspection. The original copy of the approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you contact your local fire inspector at least the month before your fire inspection is due and request an annual inspection be completed and send the inspection report to me once received. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1103(b), returning employees should revisit each H&S Training topic every five years. The due date of the H&S training five-year renewal is calculated five years from the date on each H&S training certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review training requirements annually and attempt to get all employees on the same training requirement schedule. Consultation: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories (bathrooms) must be kept clean and in good repair. Your environmental health specialist observed classroom bathroom toilet bases visibly soiled from daily and long-term build-up. I suggested you start by deep cleaning the bathroom areas and all the toilets, sinks, sink fixtures, dispensers, and stools and replace any items that cannot be cleaned due to wear and excessive build-up. 2. The Permission to Administer forms for medications prescribed for chronic illnesses should be updated every six months. 3. In response to question regarding record retention, I advised you to look through child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .2318. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you 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 January 2, 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 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, 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 .1103 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/19/2023 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 12/19/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Ashley Murdock, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards and 1 quality point for the center having a turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. You stated your program uses Creative Curriculum. Your center's compliance history was 90% as of December 18, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was current and active as reviewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on December 14, 2023 prior to today’s visit.. Your annual fire inspection was due in August 2023. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and received in my office on September 25, 2023. I observed and cited one violation. Your most recent sanitation inspection was completed today with a Superior classification and 7 demerits. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored all indoor and outdoor areas. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas and outdoors, eating lunch, and napping. 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 the current menu posted on a parent information board at the facility entrance door in the office area. I observed lunch prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed and cited no violations related to nutritional requirements or food preparation. I observed cold food and milk stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I observed infant bottles and infant food stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant Room). I observed and cited no violations related to food storage. I monitored hazardous product storage. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored medication storage and medication administration. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored general safety and discipline practices. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored program records including the emergency medical care plan, Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan, incident log, playground safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and safe arrival and departure procedures. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed eight staff record files for returning staff members in addition to the owner to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of Basic School Age Care training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety training. I observed and cited one violation. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at a routine unannounced visit on December 1, 2022. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies or the parent participation plan since December 1, 2022. I observed and cited no violations. I observed children adequately supervised, approved space used, minimum space capacities maintained, voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes maintained, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only” and “Meets enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. I observed and cited no violations. I observed and cited the following violations during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspection was due in August 2023 but completed on September 22, 2023 and received on September 25, 2023. Since the fire inspection was completed and received prior to today's visit, the violation was considered corrected. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Nine of ten health and safety training topics for one staff member with a date of employment of 08/06/2007 were due in 2022 but completed in 2023. One health and safety training topic due by 04/10/2022 was not completed. .1103(b) Technical Assistance: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the operator/administrator should schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the facility’s previous fire inspection. It is the responsibility of the operator/administrator to notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the facility’s annual fire inspection. The original copy of the approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you contact your local fire inspector at least the month before your fire inspection is due and request an annual inspection be completed and send the inspection report to me once received. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1103(b), returning employees should revisit each H&S Training topic every five years. The due date of the H&S training five-year renewal is calculated five years from the date on each H&S training certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review training requirements annually and attempt to get all employees on the same training requirement schedule. Consultation: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories (bathrooms) must be kept clean and in good repair. Your environmental health specialist observed classroom bathroom toilet bases visibly soiled from daily and long-term build-up. I suggested you start by deep cleaning the bathroom areas and all the toilets, sinks, sink fixtures, dispensers, and stools and replace any items that cannot be cleaned due to wear and excessive build-up. 2. The Permission to Administer forms for medications prescribed for chronic illnesses should be updated every six months. 3. In response to question regarding record retention, I advised you to look through child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .2318. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you 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 January 2, 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 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, 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 .2318 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL EAST Facility ID: 1853872 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/19/2023 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 12/19/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Ashley Murdock, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on June 15, 2018, earning 4 points in staff education, 5 points in program standards and 1 quality point for the center having a turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. You stated your program uses Creative Curriculum. Your center's compliance history was 90% as of December 18, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your facility, owned by Little Folks School Of North Carolina, Inc., was current and active as reviewed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on December 14, 2023 prior to today’s visit.. Your annual fire inspection was due in August 2023. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 22, 2023 and received in my office on September 25, 2023. I observed and cited one violation. Your most recent sanitation inspection was completed today with a Superior classification and 7 demerits. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored all indoor and outdoor areas. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas and outdoors, eating lunch, and napping. 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 the current menu posted on a parent information board at the facility entrance door in the office area. I observed lunch prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed and cited no violations related to nutritional requirements or food preparation. I observed cold food and milk stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I observed infant bottles and infant food stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 5 (Infant Room). I observed and cited no violations related to food storage. I monitored hazardous product storage. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored medication storage and medication administration. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored general safety and discipline practices. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored program records including the emergency medical care plan, Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan, incident log, playground safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and safe arrival and departure procedures. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed eight staff record files for returning staff members in addition to the owner to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of Basic School Age Care training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety training. I observed and cited one violation. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at a routine unannounced visit on December 1, 2022. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies or the parent participation plan since December 1, 2022. I observed and cited no violations. I observed children adequately supervised, approved space used, minimum space capacities maintained, voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes maintained, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only” and “Meets enhanced ratios” maintained during today’s visit. I observed and cited no violations. I observed and cited the following violations during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspection was due in August 2023 but completed on September 22, 2023 and received on September 25, 2023. Since the fire inspection was completed and received prior to today's visit, the violation was considered corrected. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Nine of ten health and safety training topics for one staff member with a date of employment of 08/06/2007 were due in 2022 but completed in 2023. One health and safety training topic due by 04/10/2022 was not completed. .1103(b) Technical Assistance: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the operator/administrator should schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the facility’s previous fire inspection. It is the responsibility of the operator/administrator to notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the facility’s annual fire inspection. The original copy of the approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you contact your local fire inspector at least the month before your fire inspection is due and request an annual inspection be completed and send the inspection report to me once received. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1103(b), returning employees should revisit each H&S Training topic every five years. The due date of the H&S training five-year renewal is calculated five years from the date on each H&S training certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review training requirements annually and attempt to get all employees on the same training requirement schedule. Consultation: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories (bathrooms) must be kept clean and in good repair. Your environmental health specialist observed classroom bathroom toilet bases visibly soiled from daily and long-term build-up. I suggested you start by deep cleaning the bathroom areas and all the toilets, sinks, sink fixtures, dispensers, and stools and replace any items that cannot be cleaned due to wear and excessive build-up. 2. The Permission to Administer forms for medications prescribed for chronic illnesses should be updated every six months. 3. In response to question regarding record retention, I advised you to look through child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .2318. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you 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 January 2, 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 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, 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