Widewaters Learning Center

10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: WIDEWATERS LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 92002617 Consultant: MICHELLE EZZELL Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/8/2025 Number Present: 104 Completed Date: 4/8/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 205 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 02:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to conduct a routine unannounced visit. My visit was conducted with you, Ms. Gasque, Director. I conducted a partial assessment monitoring for safety issues, supervision, capacity, discipline, posted documents, allergy lists, permit restrictions, and program records. Six staff records were spot checked. One new employee has been hired since the centers last visit. The preschool children were observed playing outside and preparing for lunch and napping. The infants were on the floor playing with age-appropriate toys, other infants were sleeping or being held and bottle fed. ***Verification of Records & Training*** *The last outdoor inspection was completed on 3-25-25 by Y. Wimbush. Y. Wimbush completed playground safety training on 4-30-11. *The last fire drill was on 3-11-25 and the last SIP drill was on 1-31-25. *The EPR was updated on 9-11-24. *The lead water test will expire 3-26-27. *I reviewed the NC Secretary of States website and observed the owner of the facility (Widewaters Learning Centers, LLC) listed as current-active. *The last sanitation inspection was on 7-9-24 and the last fire inspection was on 3-21-24. The center did not pass the fire inspection. Mrs. Gasque stated the fire Inspector is scheduled to return the week of April 25, 2025. Remember to scan me the final inspection within 5 days of completion. The following violations were observed. Technical Assistance was offered on how to correct the violations and how to maintain compliance with NC laws and rules regarding childcare operation. The following violations must be corrected immediately. Please email a signed and dated corrective action letter BY 4-22-25 to michelle.ezzell@dhhs.nc.gov Violation Number Comment Rule 705 Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards. In space 6, one of the commodes in the bathroom was missing the lid to the tank, exposing the children to the internal operating devices and the water in the tank. During the visit, the water was drained from the tank. .0601(c) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. a bottle of anti-fog spray was stored less than 5 ft. from the floor; in several classrooms adult size scissors were located with the teachers supplies, accessible to children. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 811 Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children. In space 11, an electric hand held power drill was sitting on the floor behind the teachers desk, accessible to children. .0604(a) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In space 11, an employee had a jar of Vaseline and a tube of Jergens hand lotion sitting on the desk, accessible to children. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One employee that started work on 4-8-24 did not complete the medication in Child Care Training within 12 months. .1102(a) *SANITATION RULE 15A NCAC 18A .2828-STORAGE- Locked storage rooms and cabinets shall include those which are unlocked with a combination lock, electronic or magnetic device, keypad, key, or equivalent locking device. Keys and electronic or magnetic unlocking devices shall be kept out of the reach of a child and shall not be stored in the lock. We discussed trying a flip latch with a lock for the closet doors and storage drawers. TA has been documented on your 7-19-23 and 12-10-24 visit summaries. *New staff must complete health and safety trainings within 12 months of the date of hire. *If an employee has lotion, medications, sunscreen, etc. on the premises, these items must be out of reach of children, locked or at least 5 ft. from the floor and have the word “employee” or their name written on the bottle/tube. *Storage of Hazardous Items- Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. Items that require locked storage were improperly stored in the unlocked office area located in several classrooms, and on shelves in classrooms. It is extremely important that staff take the required time to lock doors, store hazardous items properly either in locked storage or five feet up from the finished floor. Power tools can be extremely dangerous to children and must be locked or kept out of reach of children. *Teacher supplies-Teacher supplies such as adult size scissors, staplers, paperclips, stapler removers, etc. are hazards to children and must be in locked drawers or stored in a locked cabinet, or on a shelf no less than 5 feet from the floor. *The commode in space 6 was missing the lid on the tank, exposing the water and internal mechanisms. Today, Mrs. Gasque flushed the commode and cut the water valve off so the tank would be empty of water until the commode could be replaced or a new lid can be purchased. A piece of foil was placed over the back of the commode until a better solution is found. Mrs. Gasque stated she will contact the plumber immediately. Contact me with questions at: Michelle Ezzell 919-819-9304 michelle.ezzell@dhhs.nc.gov If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: WIDEWATERS LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 92002617 Consultant: MICHELLE EZZELL Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/10/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 12/10/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 255 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 01:55 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance during your annual compliance visit. The center currently operates with a 5-star license, operating at 30 sq. ft. inside, & ratios at .2818 (b). My visit was conducted with you, Ms. Mikia Gasque, Director. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored. I observed all required posted documents, refrigerator thermometers, infants feeding schedules, safe sleep charts, allergy lists, menus and medications. All classrooms were monitored. The preschool children were observed playing outside, in centers and having circle time. The infants were observed being fed and playing on the floor with age-appropriate toys. The toddlers were eating lunch. VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: *Last fire inspection=3-21-24. Send me your 2025 inspection within 5 days of completion. Rule .0304 (a). The last fire drill was on 11-18-24 & the lockdown drill was on 10-30-24. *Sanitation inspection=7-9-24 (forward me your 2024-2025 inspections as soon as they’re completed) *I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed the owner of the facility (Widewaters learning Center, LLC) listed as current-active. *Current Curriculum=Creative Curriculum *EPR plan was updated on 9-11-24 and EPR training was completed by Jennifer Cue, Regional Director, approved trainer on 5-20-16. *The last playground inspection was completed on 11-22-24 by Ms. Yolanda Wimbush. Ms. Wimbush completed playground safety training on 6-3-17. *The last lead water test will expire on 3-26-27. To maintain compliance with NC laws and rules regarding childcare operation, the following violations must be corrected immediately. Please email me a signed and dated corrective action letter with your ID # and facility name BY 12-24-24 to michelle.ezzell@dhhs.nc.gov. Remember to address each violation/item number separately explaining how the violation has been corrected. If you have any questions about today’s violations, contact me or my supervisor at michele.remington@dhhs.nc.gov Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Splinters were observed on two wood structures located on the playground used for preschool children. The Director referred to these wood structures as "the natural tunnel" and "the mud kitchen." G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In space 9 & 12 staff handbags were observed in a closet. One was on a hook, hanging below 5 ft. and the other was on a shelf below 5 ft. from the floor. The locks on the closet doors were not approved locks which are lock and key, combination lock, lock with keypad, or magnetic locks. The Director placed both staff handbags on a shelf in the closet, well over 8 ft. high. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) *We discussed staff’s personal handbags must be stored at least 5 ft. from the finished floor or in a locked cabinet. Items that require locked storage must be locked with a lock and key, magnetic lock, keypad, or combination lock. *We discussed all wood and wood structures must have a smooth surface so a child cannot obtain a splinter. *Remember to continue to update your Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Plan every year and print out the cover page showing the current date. Also, print the pages you made changes to. Failure to log onto the website may result in losing your entire EPR plan. For NCID questions call 919-814-6326 or 919-754-6000. ****Rated License Reminders***** *Remember to have staff’s education information on file with DCDEE/Workforce and their information must be current in WORKS database. Staff’s education standards are based on current data on file in WORKS. *PROGRAM STANDARDS: *For trainings on environment rating scales go to www.ncrlap@uncg.edu ****Early Educator Certificate (EEC) **** The EEC certificate is optional for staff. The NC Institute for Child Development Professionals website at http://ncicdp.org/certification-licensure/certification or by contacting the EEC office at 919-942-7442 or info@nceec.org Michelle Ezzell, DCDEE ChildCare Consultant 919-819-9304 If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: WIDEWATERS LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 92002617 Consultant: MICHELLE EZZELL Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/10/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 12/10/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 255 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 01:55 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance during your annual compliance visit. The center currently operates with a 5-star license, operating at 30 sq. ft. inside, & ratios at .2818 (b). My visit was conducted with you, Ms. Mikia Gasque, Director. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored. I observed all required posted documents, refrigerator thermometers, infants feeding schedules, safe sleep charts, allergy lists, menus and medications. All classrooms were monitored. The preschool children were observed playing outside, in centers and having circle time. The infants were observed being fed and playing on the floor with age-appropriate toys. The toddlers were eating lunch. VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: *Last fire inspection=3-21-24. Send me your 2025 inspection within 5 days of completion. Rule .0304 (a). The last fire drill was on 11-18-24 & the lockdown drill was on 10-30-24. *Sanitation inspection=7-9-24 (forward me your 2024-2025 inspections as soon as they’re completed) *I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed the owner of the facility (Widewaters learning Center, LLC) listed as current-active. *Current Curriculum=Creative Curriculum *EPR plan was updated on 9-11-24 and EPR training was completed by Jennifer Cue, Regional Director, approved trainer on 5-20-16. *The last playground inspection was completed on 11-22-24 by Ms. Yolanda Wimbush. Ms. Wimbush completed playground safety training on 6-3-17. *The last lead water test will expire on 3-26-27. To maintain compliance with NC laws and rules regarding childcare operation, the following violations must be corrected immediately. Please email me a signed and dated corrective action letter with your ID # and facility name BY 12-24-24 to michelle.ezzell@dhhs.nc.gov. Remember to address each violation/item number separately explaining how the violation has been corrected. If you have any questions about today’s violations, contact me or my supervisor at michele.remington@dhhs.nc.gov Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Splinters were observed on two wood structures located on the playground used for preschool children. The Director referred to these wood structures as "the natural tunnel" and "the mud kitchen." G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In space 9 & 12 staff handbags were observed in a closet. One was on a hook, hanging below 5 ft. and the other was on a shelf below 5 ft. from the floor. The locks on the closet doors were not approved locks which are lock and key, combination lock, lock with keypad, or magnetic locks. The Director placed both staff handbags on a shelf in the closet, well over 8 ft. high. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) *We discussed staff’s personal handbags must be stored at least 5 ft. from the finished floor or in a locked cabinet. Items that require locked storage must be locked with a lock and key, magnetic lock, keypad, or combination lock. *We discussed all wood and wood structures must have a smooth surface so a child cannot obtain a splinter. *Remember to continue to update your Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Plan every year and print out the cover page showing the current date. Also, print the pages you made changes to. Failure to log onto the website may result in losing your entire EPR plan. For NCID questions call 919-814-6326 or 919-754-6000. ****Rated License Reminders***** *Remember to have staff’s education information on file with DCDEE/Workforce and their information must be current in WORKS database. Staff’s education standards are based on current data on file in WORKS. *PROGRAM STANDARDS: *For trainings on environment rating scales go to www.ncrlap@uncg.edu ****Early Educator Certificate (EEC) **** The EEC certificate is optional for staff. The NC Institute for Child Development Professionals website at http://ncicdp.org/certification-licensure/certification or by contacting the EEC office at 919-942-7442 or info@nceec.org Michelle Ezzell, DCDEE ChildCare Consultant 919-819-9304 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