G.S.110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Play Lab STEAM Preschool Facility ID: 13000640 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 1 To 2 Total Minutes: 135 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 03:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor your program for compliance with all applicable childcare requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Upon arrival, I was greeted by you, Anel Ramirez, Owner and Operator and I stated the reason for my visit. Abby Vega, additional caregiver, arrived during today’s visit and you stated that today’s was her first day and you had a file for her and I monitored it today. You stated that this was the first day the children started. I observed the children waking up from nap time, handwashing routines, snack time, free choice activities indoors, story time and departure procedures. Positive interactions between you, Ms. Vega and the children was observed today. There were four children present and four children enrolled, including your child. All four files were monitored during today’s visit. You stated the summary of the child care law is given to each of the families in the enrollment packet. All required documents were posted, and the attendance was current and accurate. Your Temporary License was issued on April 1, 2026, and is valid until October 1, 2026. We reviewed the facility input form and the permit to ensure that there were no changes to your facility. The facility is owned by PLAY LAB STEAM PRESCHOOL LLC and is operated by you, Anel Ramirez. As the owner/operator, you are required by Child Care Rule .0102 (19) to reside in the home where the license is issued and according to General Statute 110-91(8) to be the full-time caregiver to the children enrolled at the family child care home. You stated you live in the home and that you are the full time caregiver. RATED LICENSE/QRIS-PATHWAYS PROCESS: You stated that you have set up your account with Works and we monitored WORKS during today’s visit and there and you are in the system. You stated that you have submitted your official transcripts to them, but it is not showing that they have received them as of today’s date. It is very important that you complete this task because that is used to determine you star rating in education standards. On May 6, 2026, I sent you the information you requested for Pathway 1- Program Assessment including the application. The documents and other resources can be found at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization: -Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for Family Child Care Homes (FCCH)(Rule .3221) -Education Standards for FCCH Operators (Rule .3217) -Family & Community Engagement Standards for FCCH (Rule .3220) -Pathway 1 Program Assessment—We discussed starting the Three Month Self Study this week and submit to me by August 15, 2028. You have stated that you have visited https://ncrlap.org/Resources/SelfStudy/FCCH/ and that you do not have any questions at this time. The following violations were cited during today's visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 714 Monthly check for hazards on the outdoor play area was not completed using a form supplied by the Division. This program received a temporary license effective 4/1/26 and a monthly check has not been completed. 10A NCAC .1721(e)(5)(A-F) 925 Signed and dated statement which attests that a copy of the discipline policy was given to and discussed with a parent/guardian of each child prior to enrollment was not on file in the home. A child that began enrollment today did not have a signed and dated statement in her file. G.S.110-91(10); .1727(a)&(b) 1741 Prior to enrollment of children in a Family Child Care Home, and before animals come into the Family Child Care Home, the operator did not obtain each parent's signature on a form acknowledging the type of animal located on the premises and where the animal will be kept during child care operating hours and /or the signed form was not maintained in the child's file. One child's file that began enrollment today did not have a pet acknowledgement form. 10 NCAC 09 .1719(b)(3) 1853 The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill. This program received a temporary license effective 4/1/26 and a monthly drill has not been completed. .1719(a)(15) & .1721( e)(2) 2015 Operator did not review the abusive head trauma and shaken baby syndrome policy with staff and/or the acknowledgement of the review did not contain required items or was not available for review. An additional caregiver was present and you have not reviewed this policy with her. .1726(d)(1-4) 2031 Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy. A child that began enrollment today did not have a signed and dated statement in her file that the family received this policy. .1726(b)&(c) TECHNICAL ASSITANCE: -We discussed that you will need to review the Shaken Baby Policy with all families that have children five years of age and younger and include the completed acknowledgment form in the children’s files. The policy and required information is located under “Provider Documents” on the DCDEE website. This is also required to be reviewed with the additional caregivers prior them working with the children. -We discussed that you received your temporary license with an effective date of April 1, 2026, and a monthly outdoor inspection and fire drill has not been completed and documented on the required forms. This is required to be completed monthly even if children are not enrolled. It may be helpful to place it on the calendar as a reminder or to complete the same day you conduct fire drill. -We discussed using the Child File Checklist to double as a check and balance to ensure that you have all the required documents prior to the children’s first day. -We discussed using the “Additional Caregiver Checklist” to ensure that you have all the required documents on file. CONSULTATION: -It is important to review the children’s applications when you receive them from the families to ensure that they are fully completed. A good rule of thumb is if there is a blank then something should be there. This includes but not limited to health care needs, medical professional and your signature and date. -We discussed that you or the families can sign the children in and/or out. -We discussed that you will need to complete new staff orientation within the required time frame with your additional caregiver. I printed a copy of it during today’s visit and it can also be found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” Reminders: -A compliance history score of seventy five percent or above must be maintained to receive a rated license. -For continued eligibility in the subsidized child care program, you must achieve a three-star or higher rated license at the end of the temporary license period. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Please be aware that any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date of May 26, 2026, a follow-up visit may be completed. While the Division allows you time to explain how you have corrected violations when violations are cited, it is expected you correct all violations immediately. When you are asked to send a compliance letter to me, it is expected and required that your compliance letter be sent to me no later than the date indicated in this documentation. Your letter must include the following: -Name of your program -ID number of your program -Date of Letter -Violation number -Explain how you corrected the violation (send supporting documentation to show compliance) -Describe your plan to make sure you will not have that same violation in the future -Name or signature of the person who wrote the letter. (If emailing the letter, your email address will be considered your digital signature.) 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 -DCDEE Documents and Forms: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms -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 and Current Projects: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was reviewed with you and a copy was given to you. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Lead Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082 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