NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TERESA PRATT TINY STEPS CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 04000208 Consultant: MICHELL KOCAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/13/2025 Number Present: 5 Completed Date: 3/13/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 60 Time In: 10:45 AM Time Out: 11:45 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this routine unannounced visit today was to monitor for compliance with childcare requirements. The facility operates with a 4-star license. The facility has a current compliance history of 99%. There were five (5) children present today. The children were observed during outdoor free play. The last annual compliance visit was conducted in August 2024. A superior sanitation inspection was completed on 12/9/24 with zero (0) demerits. The last fire inspection was conducted on 10/29/24. A fire drill was last conducted on 2/13/25. A shelter-in-place drill was last conducted on 12/9/24. All emergency drills have been documented as required. Playground inspections were monitored during this visit and have not been conducted as required. The indoor areas used by children were monitored today. The following items were posted for easy reference: license, NC Summary of Child Care Law, safe arrival and departure procedures, daily schedules, First Aid posters, applicable ratio charts, emergency medical care plan, emergency telephone numbers, SIDS policy, evacuation routes, tobacco policy, cot lists, and menus. The following items were monitored today: supervision, staff/child ratios, storage of hazardous products and medications, adequate/approved space, program files, posted license and license restrictions. There have not been any new staff hired since the annual compliance visit was conducted. I monitored the current criminal record qualifications and specialized training for the staff using the staff and training worksheets that were completed for the last annual compliance visit. All staff have current CPR and First Aid training. The staff have completed the required health and safety training. I observed the children from spaces #1 and #3 engaged in free play on the outdoor learning environment. The teachers were actively engaged with the children as they were playing. All interactions observed between the teachers and children were positive. There was two (2) violations of child care requirements observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Walls in space# 2 and space #3 were observed with peeling/chipping paint 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A playground inspection was not completed for the month of September 2024. .0605(q) The violations documented during the visit must be corrected immediately. To verify correction of the violations you shall submit a signed letter to me explaining in detail how you have corrected the violations described above. The letter should include the facility name and facility ID number. List each item using the item number located to the left of the violation description. When submitting an email for corrections, that email must be sent from the email address of the person designated to submit corrections (example: director) and must include this person’s name and title at the end of the email. I must receive the letter by email or at the address below on or before 3/27/2025. You are required to maintain compliance with all applicable childcare rules and regulations at all times. NC GS 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history score of at least 75% for the past 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. Your compliance history was 88% prior to this visit. Violations cited during the visit may negatively affect this score. Failure to maintain compliance with our requirements may result in administrative action against your license, which could include civil penalties. Repeated violations may significantly affect your compliance history. *Rated License: Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS is implemented (SB 425). Providers are not required to go any further with a rated license assessment unless they want to. Providers are strongly encouraged to do the following: • Have all staff update their WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R related training/workshops • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities. • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). • Consider requesting an ERS practice assessment (free of charge). Technical Assistance: *A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill must be completed no later than March 31, 2025. *Staff must complete training on all Health and Safety training topics no later than June 2025. *An updated of the Summary of NC Child Care Law dated 2025 is available on the DCDEE website under the tab for Providers in the sub tab titled Provider Documents and Forms. *Recognizing and reporting child abuse, child neglect and child maltreatment training can be accessed by going to this website: https://positivechildhoodalliancenc.org/ I reviewed this documentation with you, Teresa Pratt, Director, at the conclusion of the visit and you were given a chance to ask questions. You may contact me if you have questions or need assistance. Phone: 910-610-7525 Email: michell.kocan@dhhs.nc.gov The DCDEE website has changed and has a lot of useful information and resources to help you succeed in providing a safe and healthy environment for the children in your care. You are encouraged to utilize the website on a regular basis. https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov Thank you for your assistance during the visit. Michell Kocan Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education P.O. Box 2694 Rockingham, NC 28380 If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TERESA PRATT TINY STEPS CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 04000208 Consultant: MICHELL KOCAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/6/2024 Number Present: 5 Completed Date: 2/6/2024 Age: From 0 To 3 Total Minutes: 65 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 10:20 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this routine unannounced visit today was to monitor for compliance with childcare requirements. The facility operates with a 4-star license. The facility has a current compliance history of 97%. There were five (5) children present today. The children were observed during indoor free play in activity centers, large group art activity, tummy time and bathroom/handwashing routines. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 8/11/23. A superior sanitation inspection was completed on12/5/23 with zero (0) demerits. The last fire inspection was conducted on 10/31/23. A fire drill was last conducted on 1/12/24. A lockdown/shelter-in-place drill was last conducted in December 2023. All drills and playground inspections have been documented as required. The indoor areas used by children were monitored today. The following items were posted for easy reference: license, NC Summary of Child Care Law, safe arrival and departure procedures, daily schedules, First Aid posters, applicable ratio charts, emergency medical care plan, emergency telephone numbers, SIDS policy, evacuation routes, tobacco policy, cot lists, and menus. The following items were monitored today: supervision, staff/child ratios, storage of hazardous products and medications, adequate/approved space, program files, posted license and license restrictions. There have not been any new staff hired since the annual compliance visit was conducted. I monitored the current criminal record qualifications and specialized training for the staff using the staff and training worksheets that were completed for the last annual compliance visit. All staff have current CPR and First Aid training. The staff have completed the required health and safety training. I observed the children from space #3 engaged in free play in activity areas, large group art activity, and bathroom/handwashing routines. The teacher was actively engaged with the children as they were playing and completing the art activity. The interactions observed between the teacher and children were positive. There was one (1) violation of child care requirements observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. J. Little hired 9/2/22 did not complete all health and safety training topics within one year of employment. J. Little completed some of the health and safety training topics in November 2023. .1102(a) The violations documented during the visit must be corrected immediately. To verify correction of the violations you shall submit a signed letter to me explaining in detail how you have corrected the violations described above. The letter should include the facility name and facility ID number. List each item using the item number located to the left of the violation description. When submitting an email for corrections, that email must be sent from the email address of the person designated to submit corrections (example: director) and must include this person’s name and title at the end of the email. I must receive the letter by email or at the address below on or before 2/20/24. You are required to maintain compliance with all applicable childcare rules and regulations at all times. NC GS 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history score of at least 75% for the past 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. Your compliance history was 88% prior to this visit. Violations cited during the visit may negatively affect this score. Failure to maintain compliance with our requirements may result in administrative action against your license, which could include civil penalties. Repeated violations may significantly affect your compliance history. Technical Assistance: *An updated copy of the Summary of NC Child Care Law and Rule was left at the facility during today’s visit. Resources: *The North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center is a great resource for information and free childcare publications/posters. The website is healthychildcare.unc.edu. You may contact me if you have questions or need assistance. I can be reached at 910-610-7525 or email michell.kocan@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your assistance during the visit. Michell Kocan Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education PO Box 2694 Rockingham, NC 28380 If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.