3 C'S COX Childcare Center

10A NCAC 09 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/17/2025 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 10/17/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 245 Time In: 12:25 PM Time Out: 04:30 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. R. Cox, Administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, 4/14/25, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for 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. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/3/25. The sanitation inspection was completed on 6/10/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted on 5/7/25. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety three percent as of 10/14/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 10/14/25 and this facility Is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. Throughout the center, children were resting child sized cots covered with sheets. After waking up, the children completed personal care routines and sat at the table to eat snack. Snack was observed to include whole grain pretzel goldfish, applesauce, and water. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival, the administrator left space #2 to open the front door to the facility to let me in. Eight (8) children, 2-4 years of age, were left unattended. The staff member assigned to space #2, was observed in space #3. Seven (7) children, 1-2 years of age, were left unattended. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 10/31/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Staff Child Ratio: A staff-to-child ratio is a measure of the number of children for whom each child care provider is responsible. Because younger children need more direct one-on-one interaction, response, and supervision, staff-to-child ratios are lower for younger children than for older ones. Ratio and group size are two factors that are critical to a child’s health, safety, and development. Ratios and group sizes help ensure that a child gets enough one-on-one attention from an adult who is available to take care of each child’s unique needs. This responsive caregiving is extremely important to a child ’s social and emotional development, physical well-being, and overall learning. Upon arrival, the administrator left space #2 to open the front door to the facility to let me in. Eight (8) children, 2-4 years of age, were left unattended. The staff member assigned to space #2, was observed in space #3. Seven (7) children, 1-2 years of age, were left unattended. You stated that the staff member in space #2 left the classroom space to use the restroom and you left the classroom space to open the door. We have talked about the front door remaining locked in the past and again during today’s visit. We discussed that the door needs to be left unlocked, enough staff members need to be available to open the door, or a system needs to be added that can allow people to access the facility without someone having to open the door. You stated that you have been researching options for the front door and will have someone available at nap time to open the door. We also discussed that space #2 needs two staff members at nap time because the ratio for one-year olds is 1:6 and remains the same at nap time. Ensure that staffing schedules allow for enough coverage at nap time to meet the ages of children in attendance. We discussed that a follow-up visit will occur and that repeated staff child ratio violations could warrant an administrative action. Additional Comments: QRIS: Today, we completed the QRIS conversation template form. Annual Childcare Immunization Report Due 11/15: If you have questions about the Child Care Immunization Report, please email Immunization.Reports@dhhs.nc.gov or call 919-270-1533. Outdoor Learning Environments Work Plan: Bring nature to children by naturalizing childcare centers and family child care homes, schools, residential neighborhoods, parks and greenways, community centers, cultural facilities, botanical gardens, museums and other nonformal education institutions. Today, we discussed adding a science center to your outdoor learning environment by adding a garden, thermometer, and rain gauge. You also are adding to your reading center with more books, soft furnishings, and writing materials. NCID: Did you know that if you do not login on any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you every 6 months to login and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/17/2025 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 10/17/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 245 Time In: 12:25 PM Time Out: 04:30 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. R. Cox, Administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, 4/14/25, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for 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. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/3/25. The sanitation inspection was completed on 6/10/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted on 5/7/25. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety three percent as of 10/14/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 10/14/25 and this facility Is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. Throughout the center, children were resting child sized cots covered with sheets. After waking up, the children completed personal care routines and sat at the table to eat snack. Snack was observed to include whole grain pretzel goldfish, applesauce, and water. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival, the administrator left space #2 to open the front door to the facility to let me in. Eight (8) children, 2-4 years of age, were left unattended. The staff member assigned to space #2, was observed in space #3. Seven (7) children, 1-2 years of age, were left unattended. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 10/31/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Staff Child Ratio: A staff-to-child ratio is a measure of the number of children for whom each child care provider is responsible. Because younger children need more direct one-on-one interaction, response, and supervision, staff-to-child ratios are lower for younger children than for older ones. Ratio and group size are two factors that are critical to a child’s health, safety, and development. Ratios and group sizes help ensure that a child gets enough one-on-one attention from an adult who is available to take care of each child’s unique needs. This responsive caregiving is extremely important to a child ’s social and emotional development, physical well-being, and overall learning. Upon arrival, the administrator left space #2 to open the front door to the facility to let me in. Eight (8) children, 2-4 years of age, were left unattended. The staff member assigned to space #2, was observed in space #3. Seven (7) children, 1-2 years of age, were left unattended. You stated that the staff member in space #2 left the classroom space to use the restroom and you left the classroom space to open the door. We have talked about the front door remaining locked in the past and again during today’s visit. We discussed that the door needs to be left unlocked, enough staff members need to be available to open the door, or a system needs to be added that can allow people to access the facility without someone having to open the door. You stated that you have been researching options for the front door and will have someone available at nap time to open the door. We also discussed that space #2 needs two staff members at nap time because the ratio for one-year olds is 1:6 and remains the same at nap time. Ensure that staffing schedules allow for enough coverage at nap time to meet the ages of children in attendance. We discussed that a follow-up visit will occur and that repeated staff child ratio violations could warrant an administrative action. Additional Comments: QRIS: Today, we completed the QRIS conversation template form. Annual Childcare Immunization Report Due 11/15: If you have questions about the Child Care Immunization Report, please email Immunization.Reports@dhhs.nc.gov or call 919-270-1533. Outdoor Learning Environments Work Plan: Bring nature to children by naturalizing childcare centers and family child care homes, schools, residential neighborhoods, parks and greenways, community centers, cultural facilities, botanical gardens, museums and other nonformal education institutions. Today, we discussed adding a science center to your outdoor learning environment by adding a garden, thermometer, and rain gauge. You also are adding to your reading center with more books, soft furnishings, and writing materials. NCID: Did you know that if you do not login on any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you every 6 months to login and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/3/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 3/3/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 380 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. C. Cox, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for center has a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/14/24. The sanitation inspection was completed 11/19/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/11/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty percent as of 2/11/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 2/11/25 and this facility is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all the information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Upon arrival, due to the heat not working in the front of the building, children were combined in spaces #1 and #3. The heat was fixed during the visit. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers and group time. Preschoolers were creating Cat in the Hat crafts. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, tunnels, riding toys, hula hoops, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of turkey and cheese on whole wheat bread, apple slices, pickles, and milk. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The top row of drain pipe was broken in several areas leaving gaps and there were other sections where the top row of drain pipe has fallen beside the lower row of drain pipe causing the fence to not measure four (4) feet in height and create protrusions. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. R. Cox did not receive the required ten (10) hours of on-going training hours by 4/5/24. .1103(a) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. The staff member assigned to space #3 left the classroom space for several moments. Six (6) children, 3-4 years of age, were left unattended. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/17/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Staff/child Ratio: Staff/child ratios must be met at all times while caring for children in a center. If a teacher needs to leave the room, another staff member needs to be notified so they can cover the ratio while the teacher is out of the room. A communication system, such as phones or walkie talkies, can be utilized so it is easy for teachers to inform others when they need assistance. When I came in the back door of the facility, the staff member assigned to space #3 was walking into space #3 from space #2. It was reported that the staff member left the classroom space to retrieve materials from space #2. Before leaving the classroom space, the staff member asked the staff member in space #1 to supervise the children while she ran an errand. We discussed that staff members can not supervise more than one space at a time and that when the staff member left the classroom, the children were left out of ratio. It was reported that the staff members have a walkie talkie in the classroom, and you stated that staff members use them to communicate for assistance. Ensure that all staff members understand the process of using the walkie talkie to ask for assistance before they leave the classroom. Due to a violation regarding staff/child ratio, a follow-up visit will be conducted. If this violation is documented on two consecutive visits, an administrative action may be recommended. Outdoor Environment: Emerging research tells us that children need to spend time outdoors to be healthy as they grow and develop. They will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play outdoors. Outdoor play is beneficial to children as well as caregivers. Research tells us that spending time outdoors, exposed to fresh air, sunlight, and natural elements such as trees and grass provides many health benefits. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. The outdoor play area shall be protected by a fence. The height shall be a minimum of four feet and the top of the fence shall be free of protrusions. I measured the height of the fence in several areas and found it to measure between 44- 47 inches tall. I observed that the fence has two (2) rows of black plastic corrugated drain pipe stacked on top of each other and fastened by large black zip ties. When these drain pipes are fastened so that they are stacked one on top of each other, the height does measure four (4) feet in height. Today, the top row of drain pipe was broken in several areas leaving gaps of fence and other sections where the top row of drain pipe has fallen beside the lower row of drain pipe causing the fence to not measure four (4) feet in height. Also, the broken drain pipe creates sharp edges. We discussed that if the fence was dug out to sit on top of the ground, it would most likely measure four (4) feet. We also discussed that the broken drain pipe needs to be replaced immediately and installed so that the rows are stacked evenly for the height to measure four (4) feet and the zip ties cut down. Check the outdoor areas daily to ensure that the pipes are not damaged and installed correctly to ensure that the fence is four (4) feet in height without sharp edges. On-going Training: On-going training and professional development provide early learning staff opportunities to learn new skills and/or refresh previously learned skills. Planning for on-going training as part of the annual Professional Development Plan helps the administrator and staff person map out completion of on-going training for the upcoming year. On-going training is tracked from the Annual Compliance visit to the one-year anniversary. R. Cox did not receive the required ten (10) hours of on-going training hours by 4/5/24. We discussed that checking on-going training hours quarterly would ensure that staff members have time to complete their required training hours within the year. You stated that you will try to get all staff members to take some trainings together to ensure that they are getting their training hours and learning the same information. Schedule a date quarterly to review the on-going training hours of all staff members. Additional Comments: During the visit, you requested to increase the facility’s capacity to 45. I will conduct an investigation to determine if this change can be made. ABCMS Provider Portal: You completed the Provider Portal training but were unable to log in to the provider portal. You emailed the support email during the visit. I sent you a copy of the connecting application instructions to complete the process. Ensure that you connect all staff members to your facility. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids: Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the deadline for enrolling in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids testing for lead in water, lead paint, and asbestos has been extended to May 31, 2025. If you have not completed the online enrollment, online training, and initial survey, complete this for your facility as soon as possible. Funding is available for licensed facilities that need lead paint or asbestos mitigation. Enroll today athttps://www.cleanwaterforcarolinakids.org/enroll. If you have enrolled for only one or two of the program sections, log back in to complete surveys for the remaining section(s) to comply with the rule requirements. Natural Learning Initiative: https://naturalearning.org/resources/ Resources are created, often in collaboration with the Natural Learning Initiative’s interdisciplinary partners, to support technical assistance, professional development, and generally to promote the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children. Please use and share. We discussed the North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project: NCRLAP’s mission is to promote the quality of child care by consistently and reliably assessing environments for the North Carolina Star Rated License. We collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. The website ncrlap.org offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and getting ready for ITERS-3 and ECERS-3. NCID Password Rule to Change: If you have a MYNCID or NCID account, you may have received an email this week announcing changes to the password rules. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from eight to 14 characters. The change will affect state agency staff as well as external users like citizens, providers, and state and local county staff. There is no action you need to take on or before February 23rd. When you change your current password after Feb. 23, however, you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). Strong, unique passwords – along with practicing mindful cybersecurity practices – are key components to protecting your devices and personal information at home and at work. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, (252) 373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/3/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 3/3/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 380 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. C. Cox, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for center has a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/14/24. The sanitation inspection was completed 11/19/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/11/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty percent as of 2/11/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 2/11/25 and this facility is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all the information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Upon arrival, due to the heat not working in the front of the building, children were combined in spaces #1 and #3. The heat was fixed during the visit. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers and group time. Preschoolers were creating Cat in the Hat crafts. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, tunnels, riding toys, hula hoops, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of turkey and cheese on whole wheat bread, apple slices, pickles, and milk. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The top row of drain pipe was broken in several areas leaving gaps and there were other sections where the top row of drain pipe has fallen beside the lower row of drain pipe causing the fence to not measure four (4) feet in height and create protrusions. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. R. Cox did not receive the required ten (10) hours of on-going training hours by 4/5/24. .1103(a) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. The staff member assigned to space #3 left the classroom space for several moments. Six (6) children, 3-4 years of age, were left unattended. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/17/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Staff/child Ratio: Staff/child ratios must be met at all times while caring for children in a center. If a teacher needs to leave the room, another staff member needs to be notified so they can cover the ratio while the teacher is out of the room. A communication system, such as phones or walkie talkies, can be utilized so it is easy for teachers to inform others when they need assistance. When I came in the back door of the facility, the staff member assigned to space #3 was walking into space #3 from space #2. It was reported that the staff member left the classroom space to retrieve materials from space #2. Before leaving the classroom space, the staff member asked the staff member in space #1 to supervise the children while she ran an errand. We discussed that staff members can not supervise more than one space at a time and that when the staff member left the classroom, the children were left out of ratio. It was reported that the staff members have a walkie talkie in the classroom, and you stated that staff members use them to communicate for assistance. Ensure that all staff members understand the process of using the walkie talkie to ask for assistance before they leave the classroom. Due to a violation regarding staff/child ratio, a follow-up visit will be conducted. If this violation is documented on two consecutive visits, an administrative action may be recommended. Outdoor Environment: Emerging research tells us that children need to spend time outdoors to be healthy as they grow and develop. They will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play outdoors. Outdoor play is beneficial to children as well as caregivers. Research tells us that spending time outdoors, exposed to fresh air, sunlight, and natural elements such as trees and grass provides many health benefits. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. The outdoor play area shall be protected by a fence. The height shall be a minimum of four feet and the top of the fence shall be free of protrusions. I measured the height of the fence in several areas and found it to measure between 44- 47 inches tall. I observed that the fence has two (2) rows of black plastic corrugated drain pipe stacked on top of each other and fastened by large black zip ties. When these drain pipes are fastened so that they are stacked one on top of each other, the height does measure four (4) feet in height. Today, the top row of drain pipe was broken in several areas leaving gaps of fence and other sections where the top row of drain pipe has fallen beside the lower row of drain pipe causing the fence to not measure four (4) feet in height. Also, the broken drain pipe creates sharp edges. We discussed that if the fence was dug out to sit on top of the ground, it would most likely measure four (4) feet. We also discussed that the broken drain pipe needs to be replaced immediately and installed so that the rows are stacked evenly for the height to measure four (4) feet and the zip ties cut down. Check the outdoor areas daily to ensure that the pipes are not damaged and installed correctly to ensure that the fence is four (4) feet in height without sharp edges. On-going Training: On-going training and professional development provide early learning staff opportunities to learn new skills and/or refresh previously learned skills. Planning for on-going training as part of the annual Professional Development Plan helps the administrator and staff person map out completion of on-going training for the upcoming year. On-going training is tracked from the Annual Compliance visit to the one-year anniversary. R. Cox did not receive the required ten (10) hours of on-going training hours by 4/5/24. We discussed that checking on-going training hours quarterly would ensure that staff members have time to complete their required training hours within the year. You stated that you will try to get all staff members to take some trainings together to ensure that they are getting their training hours and learning the same information. Schedule a date quarterly to review the on-going training hours of all staff members. Additional Comments: During the visit, you requested to increase the facility’s capacity to 45. I will conduct an investigation to determine if this change can be made. ABCMS Provider Portal: You completed the Provider Portal training but were unable to log in to the provider portal. You emailed the support email during the visit. I sent you a copy of the connecting application instructions to complete the process. Ensure that you connect all staff members to your facility. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids: Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the deadline for enrolling in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids testing for lead in water, lead paint, and asbestos has been extended to May 31, 2025. If you have not completed the online enrollment, online training, and initial survey, complete this for your facility as soon as possible. Funding is available for licensed facilities that need lead paint or asbestos mitigation. Enroll today athttps://www.cleanwaterforcarolinakids.org/enroll. If you have enrolled for only one or two of the program sections, log back in to complete surveys for the remaining section(s) to comply with the rule requirements. Natural Learning Initiative: https://naturalearning.org/resources/ Resources are created, often in collaboration with the Natural Learning Initiative’s interdisciplinary partners, to support technical assistance, professional development, and generally to promote the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children. Please use and share. We discussed the North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project: NCRLAP’s mission is to promote the quality of child care by consistently and reliably assessing environments for the North Carolina Star Rated License. We collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. The website ncrlap.org offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and getting ready for ITERS-3 and ECERS-3. NCID Password Rule to Change: If you have a MYNCID or NCID account, you may have received an email this week announcing changes to the password rules. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from eight to 14 characters. The change will affect state agency staff as well as external users like citizens, providers, and state and local county staff. There is no action you need to take on or before February 23rd. When you change your current password after Feb. 23, however, you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). Strong, unique passwords – along with practicing mindful cybersecurity practices – are key components to protecting your devices and personal information at home and at work. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, (252) 373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/3/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 3/3/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 380 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. C. Cox, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for center has a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/14/24. The sanitation inspection was completed 11/19/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/11/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty percent as of 2/11/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 2/11/25 and this facility is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all the information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Upon arrival, due to the heat not working in the front of the building, children were combined in spaces #1 and #3. The heat was fixed during the visit. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers and group time. Preschoolers were creating Cat in the Hat crafts. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, tunnels, riding toys, hula hoops, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of turkey and cheese on whole wheat bread, apple slices, pickles, and milk. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The top row of drain pipe was broken in several areas leaving gaps and there were other sections where the top row of drain pipe has fallen beside the lower row of drain pipe causing the fence to not measure four (4) feet in height and create protrusions. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. R. Cox did not receive the required ten (10) hours of on-going training hours by 4/5/24. .1103(a) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. The staff member assigned to space #3 left the classroom space for several moments. Six (6) children, 3-4 years of age, were left unattended. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/17/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Staff/child Ratio: Staff/child ratios must be met at all times while caring for children in a center. If a teacher needs to leave the room, another staff member needs to be notified so they can cover the ratio while the teacher is out of the room. A communication system, such as phones or walkie talkies, can be utilized so it is easy for teachers to inform others when they need assistance. When I came in the back door of the facility, the staff member assigned to space #3 was walking into space #3 from space #2. It was reported that the staff member left the classroom space to retrieve materials from space #2. Before leaving the classroom space, the staff member asked the staff member in space #1 to supervise the children while she ran an errand. We discussed that staff members can not supervise more than one space at a time and that when the staff member left the classroom, the children were left out of ratio. It was reported that the staff members have a walkie talkie in the classroom, and you stated that staff members use them to communicate for assistance. Ensure that all staff members understand the process of using the walkie talkie to ask for assistance before they leave the classroom. Due to a violation regarding staff/child ratio, a follow-up visit will be conducted. If this violation is documented on two consecutive visits, an administrative action may be recommended. Outdoor Environment: Emerging research tells us that children need to spend time outdoors to be healthy as they grow and develop. They will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play outdoors. Outdoor play is beneficial to children as well as caregivers. Research tells us that spending time outdoors, exposed to fresh air, sunlight, and natural elements such as trees and grass provides many health benefits. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. The outdoor play area shall be protected by a fence. The height shall be a minimum of four feet and the top of the fence shall be free of protrusions. I measured the height of the fence in several areas and found it to measure between 44- 47 inches tall. I observed that the fence has two (2) rows of black plastic corrugated drain pipe stacked on top of each other and fastened by large black zip ties. When these drain pipes are fastened so that they are stacked one on top of each other, the height does measure four (4) feet in height. Today, the top row of drain pipe was broken in several areas leaving gaps of fence and other sections where the top row of drain pipe has fallen beside the lower row of drain pipe causing the fence to not measure four (4) feet in height. Also, the broken drain pipe creates sharp edges. We discussed that if the fence was dug out to sit on top of the ground, it would most likely measure four (4) feet. We also discussed that the broken drain pipe needs to be replaced immediately and installed so that the rows are stacked evenly for the height to measure four (4) feet and the zip ties cut down. Check the outdoor areas daily to ensure that the pipes are not damaged and installed correctly to ensure that the fence is four (4) feet in height without sharp edges. On-going Training: On-going training and professional development provide early learning staff opportunities to learn new skills and/or refresh previously learned skills. Planning for on-going training as part of the annual Professional Development Plan helps the administrator and staff person map out completion of on-going training for the upcoming year. On-going training is tracked from the Annual Compliance visit to the one-year anniversary. R. Cox did not receive the required ten (10) hours of on-going training hours by 4/5/24. We discussed that checking on-going training hours quarterly would ensure that staff members have time to complete their required training hours within the year. You stated that you will try to get all staff members to take some trainings together to ensure that they are getting their training hours and learning the same information. Schedule a date quarterly to review the on-going training hours of all staff members. Additional Comments: During the visit, you requested to increase the facility’s capacity to 45. I will conduct an investigation to determine if this change can be made. ABCMS Provider Portal: You completed the Provider Portal training but were unable to log in to the provider portal. You emailed the support email during the visit. I sent you a copy of the connecting application instructions to complete the process. Ensure that you connect all staff members to your facility. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids: Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the deadline for enrolling in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids testing for lead in water, lead paint, and asbestos has been extended to May 31, 2025. If you have not completed the online enrollment, online training, and initial survey, complete this for your facility as soon as possible. Funding is available for licensed facilities that need lead paint or asbestos mitigation. Enroll today athttps://www.cleanwaterforcarolinakids.org/enroll. If you have enrolled for only one or two of the program sections, log back in to complete surveys for the remaining section(s) to comply with the rule requirements. Natural Learning Initiative: https://naturalearning.org/resources/ Resources are created, often in collaboration with the Natural Learning Initiative’s interdisciplinary partners, to support technical assistance, professional development, and generally to promote the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children. Please use and share. We discussed the North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project: NCRLAP’s mission is to promote the quality of child care by consistently and reliably assessing environments for the North Carolina Star Rated License. We collaborate with professionals in the early childhood education field to foster the development and learning of young children. The website ncrlap.org offers resources, trainings, videos, worksheets, and getting ready for ITERS-3 and ECERS-3. NCID Password Rule to Change: If you have a MYNCID or NCID account, you may have received an email this week announcing changes to the password rules. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from eight to 14 characters. The change will affect state agency staff as well as external users like citizens, providers, and state and local county staff. There is no action you need to take on or before February 23rd. When you change your current password after Feb. 23, however, you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). Strong, unique passwords – along with practicing mindful cybersecurity practices – are key components to protecting your devices and personal information at home and at work. Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, and technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, (252) 373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/19/2024 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 8/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 02:10 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. R. Cox, Administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for 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. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/14/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 4/8/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/11/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety three percent as of 8/16/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 8/16/24 and this facility Is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. You visited all indoor and outdoor areas with me. Throughout the center, children were sitting at the table eating lunch. After lunch, the children completed personal care routines and laid down for rest time on child sized cots covered with sheets. Infants were observed napping in cribs. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and included chicken nuggets, French fries, apples, and milk. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. According to the posted menu, lunch was noted as ground beef, noodles, corn, peaches, and milk however the children were served chicken nuggets, French fries, apples, and milk. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 9/2/24, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Menu Substitutions: Planning the menu in advance and posting the current menu, to include any substitutions, is essential in providing a variety of foods for proper nutrition. Although noted food substitutions were of comparable food value; however, the substitutions were not recorded on the menu. According to the posted menu, lunch was noted as ground beef, noodles, corn, peaches, and milk however the children were served chicken nuggets, French fries, apples, and milk. You stated that the ground beef did not thaw in time to serve for lunch. We discussed that prior to any meal or snack being served, the posted menu must be reviewed for accuracy of items served and if comparable changes occur, then make sure those changes are noted on the posted menu(s). You also stated that the cook is absent today and the cook knows that the menu needs to be changed before serving. Review the menu before each meal to ensure that it is updated to reflect the food to be served. Additional Comments: North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center: https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/ The NC Resource Center’s mission is to promote healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments in early care and education settings through child care health consultation. This website contains many helpful resources including the Communicable Diseases and Exclusion Chart. Children's Environmental Health: https://ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/hhccehb/cehu/ccs/children.htm This website has the newest sanitation rules, presentations, and frequently asked questions and answers. Southwestern Child Development Commission https://www.swcdcinc.org/ offers a variety of online courses and trainings, including BSAC. We discussed this site being a resource for completing on-going training hours, BSAC, and orientation. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® North Carolina Scholarship Program provides educational scholarships to early care professionals and those who perform specialized functions in the early care system. https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/19/2024 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 8/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 02:10 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. R. Cox, Administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for 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. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/14/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 4/8/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/11/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety three percent as of 8/16/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 8/16/24 and this facility Is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. You visited all indoor and outdoor areas with me. Throughout the center, children were sitting at the table eating lunch. After lunch, the children completed personal care routines and laid down for rest time on child sized cots covered with sheets. Infants were observed napping in cribs. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and included chicken nuggets, French fries, apples, and milk. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. According to the posted menu, lunch was noted as ground beef, noodles, corn, peaches, and milk however the children were served chicken nuggets, French fries, apples, and milk. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 9/2/24, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Menu Substitutions: Planning the menu in advance and posting the current menu, to include any substitutions, is essential in providing a variety of foods for proper nutrition. Although noted food substitutions were of comparable food value; however, the substitutions were not recorded on the menu. According to the posted menu, lunch was noted as ground beef, noodles, corn, peaches, and milk however the children were served chicken nuggets, French fries, apples, and milk. You stated that the ground beef did not thaw in time to serve for lunch. We discussed that prior to any meal or snack being served, the posted menu must be reviewed for accuracy of items served and if comparable changes occur, then make sure those changes are noted on the posted menu(s). You also stated that the cook is absent today and the cook knows that the menu needs to be changed before serving. Review the menu before each meal to ensure that it is updated to reflect the food to be served. Additional Comments: North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center: https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/ The NC Resource Center’s mission is to promote healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments in early care and education settings through child care health consultation. This website contains many helpful resources including the Communicable Diseases and Exclusion Chart. Children's Environmental Health: https://ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/hhccehb/cehu/ccs/children.htm This website has the newest sanitation rules, presentations, and frequently asked questions and answers. Southwestern Child Development Commission https://www.swcdcinc.org/ offers a variety of online courses and trainings, including BSAC. We discussed this site being a resource for completing on-going training hours, BSAC, and orientation. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® North Carolina Scholarship Program provides educational scholarships to early care professionals and those who perform specialized functions in the early care system. https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/14/2024 Number Present: 14 Completed Date: 3/14/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 255 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:15 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. C. Cox, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for center has a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/5/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 10/25/2023 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/21/23 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety percent as of 3/5/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 3/5/24 and this facility is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Upon arrival, children were eating a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, oranges, and milk. Toddlers and infants in space #2 were engaged in free play in activity centers and tummy time. Preschoolers in space #4 were creating St. Patrick’s Day crafts. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, tunnel, riding toys, hula hoops, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of pepperoni pizza, corn, salad with ranch dressing, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On the toddler playground, the plastic lid to the turtle shaped sand box was cracked in several places creating pinching hazards. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Outdoor Environment: Emerging research tells us that children need to spend time outdoors to be healthy as they grow and develop. They will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play outdoors. Outdoor play is beneficial to children as well as caregivers. Research tells us that spending time outdoors, exposed to fresh air, sunlight, and natural elements such as trees and grass provides many health benefits. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. On the toddler playground, the plastic lid to the turtle shaped sand box was cracked in several places creating pinching hazards. When this was brought to your attention, you immediately removed it from the outdoor area. You stated that you had not noticed that the lid was damaged. We discussed that the outdoors has many variables that can change quickly so it is important to check the outdoors in the morning and before the children go outside because something could have changed in that time. Check the outdoor areas daily and monthly thoroughly inspect equipment for damage during the monthly playground inspection. Additional Comments: Natural Learning Initiative: Time outdoors is a critical tool for supporting mental and physical health in young children. Adoption of best practices for outdoor play and learning spaces is critical to increase daily time spent outside. The four components of this project include: 1. Relaunch a supportive network for outdoor play and learning environments in North Carolina; 2. Research nature-based programs and spaces and develop a plan to embed these in licensed childcare in North Carolina; 3. Motivate and train early educators and specialists to promote best practices and increase time in outdoor play and learning in NC childcare facilities; 4. Increase time outdoors playing and learning in NC family child care homes through professional development and technical assistance. Today, we discussed ways to create a natural learning environment in the outdoor spaces. Some of the ideas included a music wall made from kitchen accessories, a garden that the children can help plant, a science center, and stepping stone made from logs. I encourage you to check out naturallearning.org to find resources and professional development options for ways to enhance your outdoor learning environments. Rule Changes Effective January 2024 Training Modules Available in DCDEE Moodle The Child Care Commission adopted child care rule changes in January 2024. Changes relate to definitions; lead and asbestos for centers and family child care homes; building requirements for family child care homes; multi-unit child care centers; and criminal background checks. Consultants will assist as you begin to review and implement the changes, but please note, some of the rule changes may or may not impact your facility. An example is the rules in section .2600 for multi-unit child care center. These rules are specific to child care centers with multiple licensed centers within one building. Please ensure you are using the updated January 2024 rule book, and view information in the DCDEE Moodle (enroll if necessary). You will need to have an NCID - the same NCID that you use for the health & safety training, WORKS login, and/or the CBC Portal - to participate in Moodle training. If you do not have an NCID, use this link to get one: https://ncid.nc.gov. Rule training modules can be found in the same course as the October 2017 Child Care Rule Rollout. If you are unfamiliar with the Child Care Rule Rollout within Moodle and how to navigate, please visit: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Learning-Resources/How-to-Navigate-Moodle. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-9326. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program is an umbrella for a variety of different scholarship programs for those working in the early education field in North Carolina. Every TEACH scholarship has 4 components: scholarship, education, compensation, and commitment. The goals of these scholarships are: • To provide educational scholarship opportunities for people working in regulated early care centers and family child care homes • To increase the knowledge base of early care and education professionals working with young children, thus improving the care these children receive • To encourage early care and education professionals and organizations continuing support to educate their staff • To provide increased compensation that is directly related to increased education • To reduce staff turnover by supporting the above goals while also requiring from participants a one year commitment to early education after their scholarship year • To provide a sequential professional development path for teachers, directors and family child care home providers currently in the field • To create a model of partnership for improving the quality of care that children in early education programs in North Carolina receive. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program North Carolina is funded by the NC DCDEE. https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, (252) 373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/14/2024 Number Present: 14 Completed Date: 3/14/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 255 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:15 PM Time In: Time Out: 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. C. Cox, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for center has a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for the administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, teacher and group leader over the last 12 months. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/5/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 10/25/2023 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/21/23 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety percent as of 3/5/24. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 3/5/24 and this facility is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. We reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and all information is current. Contact me if you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You visited each indoor and outdoor space with me. Upon arrival, children were eating a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, oranges, and milk. Toddlers and infants in space #2 were engaged in free play in activity centers and tummy time. Preschoolers in space #4 were creating St. Patrick’s Day crafts. The outdoor space was observed to have portable climbers, tunnel, riding toys, hula hoops, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of pepperoni pizza, corn, salad with ranch dressing, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On the toddler playground, the plastic lid to the turtle shaped sand box was cracked in several places creating pinching hazards. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Outdoor Environment: Emerging research tells us that children need to spend time outdoors to be healthy as they grow and develop. They will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play outdoors. Outdoor play is beneficial to children as well as caregivers. Research tells us that spending time outdoors, exposed to fresh air, sunlight, and natural elements such as trees and grass provides many health benefits. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily, and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. On the toddler playground, the plastic lid to the turtle shaped sand box was cracked in several places creating pinching hazards. When this was brought to your attention, you immediately removed it from the outdoor area. You stated that you had not noticed that the lid was damaged. We discussed that the outdoors has many variables that can change quickly so it is important to check the outdoors in the morning and before the children go outside because something could have changed in that time. Check the outdoor areas daily and monthly thoroughly inspect equipment for damage during the monthly playground inspection. Additional Comments: Natural Learning Initiative: Time outdoors is a critical tool for supporting mental and physical health in young children. Adoption of best practices for outdoor play and learning spaces is critical to increase daily time spent outside. The four components of this project include: 1. Relaunch a supportive network for outdoor play and learning environments in North Carolina; 2. Research nature-based programs and spaces and develop a plan to embed these in licensed childcare in North Carolina; 3. Motivate and train early educators and specialists to promote best practices and increase time in outdoor play and learning in NC childcare facilities; 4. Increase time outdoors playing and learning in NC family child care homes through professional development and technical assistance. Today, we discussed ways to create a natural learning environment in the outdoor spaces. Some of the ideas included a music wall made from kitchen accessories, a garden that the children can help plant, a science center, and stepping stone made from logs. I encourage you to check out naturallearning.org to find resources and professional development options for ways to enhance your outdoor learning environments. Rule Changes Effective January 2024 Training Modules Available in DCDEE Moodle The Child Care Commission adopted child care rule changes in January 2024. Changes relate to definitions; lead and asbestos for centers and family child care homes; building requirements for family child care homes; multi-unit child care centers; and criminal background checks. Consultants will assist as you begin to review and implement the changes, but please note, some of the rule changes may or may not impact your facility. An example is the rules in section .2600 for multi-unit child care center. These rules are specific to child care centers with multiple licensed centers within one building. Please ensure you are using the updated January 2024 rule book, and view information in the DCDEE Moodle (enroll if necessary). You will need to have an NCID - the same NCID that you use for the health & safety training, WORKS login, and/or the CBC Portal - to participate in Moodle training. If you do not have an NCID, use this link to get one: https://ncid.nc.gov. Rule training modules can be found in the same course as the October 2017 Child Care Rule Rollout. If you are unfamiliar with the Child Care Rule Rollout within Moodle and how to navigate, please visit: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Learning-Resources/How-to-Navigate-Moodle. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-9326. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program is an umbrella for a variety of different scholarship programs for those working in the early education field in North Carolina. Every TEACH scholarship has 4 components: scholarship, education, compensation, and commitment. The goals of these scholarships are: • To provide educational scholarship opportunities for people working in regulated early care centers and family child care homes • To increase the knowledge base of early care and education professionals working with young children, thus improving the care these children receive • To encourage early care and education professionals and organizations continuing support to educate their staff • To provide increased compensation that is directly related to increased education • To reduce staff turnover by supporting the above goals while also requiring from participants a one year commitment to early education after their scholarship year • To provide a sequential professional development path for teachers, directors and family child care home providers currently in the field • To create a model of partnership for improving the quality of care that children in early education programs in North Carolina receive. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program North Carolina is funded by the NC DCDEE. https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, (252) 373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/11/2023 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/11/2023 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 190 Time In: 08:50 AM Time Out: 12:00 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. The administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced space) and 1 quality point for 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. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/5/23. The sanitation inspection was completed on 4/11/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/21/22. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety six percent as of 10/10/23. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 10/10/23 and this facility Is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. All indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed toddlers eating a breakfast of oatmeal, raisins, and milk. In the outdoor space, toddlers were being pulled around in a wagon by the teacher. Preschoolers were having circle time and learning about fire safety. The children practiced how to stop, drop, and roll. The outdoor spaces were observed to have a stationary climber, riding toys, and balls, for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included turkey and cheese on WW bread, lettuce, tomato, apples, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. 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 completed in 2022 was dated 6/1/22. The current fire inspection was dated 6/21/23. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The playground inspection for the month of September 2023 was not on file to review. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 6/21/23 did not have First Aid certification on file. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 6/21/23 did not have CPR certification on file. .1102(d) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. In the outdoor space, the depth of mulch beneath the stationary climber measured less than two (2) inches with a required depth of six (6) inches. .0605(k)(1-4) - Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 10/25/23, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical assistance with violations: CPR/First Aid: Knowing what to do in an emergency medical situation can mean the difference between life or death. Being trained in CPR and first aid can be invaluable when someone is in serious medical distress. Therefore, it is so important that all staff working directly with children have current CPR and First Aid Certification. Staff members have 90 days from the day of hire to complete the required trainings. A staff member hired on 6/21/23 did not have a CPR or First Aid certificate on file. You stated that the staff member has recently taken a CPR/First Aid class and was waiting to receive the card of completion. We discussed using an electronic calendar and/or staff and training worksheets and create a “tickler” to send a reminder to your phone or email several months before CPR/First Aid expires to ensure you register for a class before your certifications expire. You can also use it to track due dates for items that expire such as Criminal Background Checks, ITS/SIDS Training, Health & Safety Training, etc. Provide a copy of the CPR/First Aid certificate with your compliance letter. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children can play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste, and their sense of motion. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. Playground inspection for the month of September 2023 was not on file to review. You stated that you completed the playground inspection on the same day as completing a fire drill but did not complete the form. We discussed putting monthly tasks on an electronic calendar to ensure that it is completed each month. Nationally, nearly 70% of playground related injuries are from falls. Fall injuries are the result of two things: 1) The height a child falls from and 2) The material/surface the child falls upon. In the outdoor space, the depth of mulch beneath the stationary climber measured less than two (2) inches with a required depth of six inches. You stated that you had a hard time finding mulch and had to purchase mulch that was larger than you normally purchase. It would be helpful to fluff the mulch each month during the playground inspection. There was more mulch further away from the stationary climber that can be spread around to see how much more you will need. Send a picture of the mulch with your compliance letter. Fire inspection: Facility safeguarding is not achieved by one agency carrying out a single regulatory program. Total safeguarding is achieved through a multiplicity of regulatory programs and agencies including sanitation and fire inspectors. Fire inspections should be completed annually and within 12 months of the previous inspection. The fire inspection completed in 2022 was dated 6/1/22. The current fire inspection was dated 6/21/23. You stated that you did call and request an inspection, but it was not completed in time. We discussed putting a reminder to schedule a fire inspection in your calendar a few months ahead of the date needed so that there is ample time for an inspection to occur before 12 months lapse. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: TRANSITION BACK TO RATED LICENSE ASSESSMENTS AND COHORTS To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your child care center was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 4/1/2023 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ITERSR by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. You can request and complete an ITERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. Look at options to help staff earn the NC Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) – EDU 119, Early Educator Certification, the new NCECC Equivalency Exam option available on Moodle. Encourage staff to enroll in additional college coursework to meet or increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ . The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ITERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. Self-Service License Fee Management: Coming in November Speaking of the ABCMS portal, this fall DCDEE will use it to offer a new way to manage the annual license fee*. Instead of watching your mailbox for a paper invoice, you’ll be emailed an invoice directly from ABCMS. Concerned you’ll miss or lose the invoice? Don’t worry. You’ll be able to download/print invoices and submit online payments all within the same ABCMS portal. Operators and administrators will sign in to ABCMS using their business NCID credentials. If you don’t have a business NCID account, register one at https://ncid.nc.gov/ The Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: 3 C'S COX CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 25000534 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/11/2023 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/11/2023 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 190 Time In: 08:50 AM Time Out: 12:00 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. The administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, 3/8/2020, earning 6 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced space) and 1 quality point for 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. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/5/23. The sanitation inspection was completed on 4/11/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 6/21/22. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety six percent as of 10/10/23. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 10/10/23 and this facility Is not currently owned or operated by a corporation. Please contact me prior to any changes regarding ownership of this facility. All indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed toddlers eating a breakfast of oatmeal, raisins, and milk. In the outdoor space, toddlers were being pulled around in a wagon by the teacher. Preschoolers were having circle time and learning about fire safety. The children practiced how to stop, drop, and roll. The outdoor spaces were observed to have a stationary climber, riding toys, and balls, for the children to engage in gross motor play. Lunch was observed and included turkey and cheese on WW bread, lettuce, tomato, apples, and milk. The following violation(s) were documented. 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 completed in 2022 was dated 6/1/22. The current fire inspection was dated 6/21/23. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The playground inspection for the month of September 2023 was not on file to review. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 6/21/23 did not have First Aid certification on file. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 6/21/23 did not have CPR certification on file. .1102(d) 1867 The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. In the outdoor space, the depth of mulch beneath the stationary climber measured less than two (2) inches with a required depth of six (6) inches. .0605(k)(1-4) - Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 10/25/23, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware 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, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant PO Box 3272 New Bern, NC 28564 Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical assistance with violations: CPR/First Aid: Knowing what to do in an emergency medical situation can mean the difference between life or death. Being trained in CPR and first aid can be invaluable when someone is in serious medical distress. Therefore, it is so important that all staff working directly with children have current CPR and First Aid Certification. Staff members have 90 days from the day of hire to complete the required trainings. A staff member hired on 6/21/23 did not have a CPR or First Aid certificate on file. You stated that the staff member has recently taken a CPR/First Aid class and was waiting to receive the card of completion. We discussed using an electronic calendar and/or staff and training worksheets and create a “tickler” to send a reminder to your phone or email several months before CPR/First Aid expires to ensure you register for a class before your certifications expire. You can also use it to track due dates for items that expire such as Criminal Background Checks, ITS/SIDS Training, Health & Safety Training, etc. Provide a copy of the CPR/First Aid certificate with your compliance letter. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children can play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste, and their sense of motion. It is important that the outdoor area is checked daily and proper upkeep is conducted to ensure the environment is safe for use. Playground inspection for the month of September 2023 was not on file to review. You stated that you completed the playground inspection on the same day as completing a fire drill but did not complete the form. We discussed putting monthly tasks on an electronic calendar to ensure that it is completed each month. Nationally, nearly 70% of playground related injuries are from falls. Fall injuries are the result of two things: 1) The height a child falls from and 2) The material/surface the child falls upon. In the outdoor space, the depth of mulch beneath the stationary climber measured less than two (2) inches with a required depth of six inches. You stated that you had a hard time finding mulch and had to purchase mulch that was larger than you normally purchase. It would be helpful to fluff the mulch each month during the playground inspection. There was more mulch further away from the stationary climber that can be spread around to see how much more you will need. Send a picture of the mulch with your compliance letter. Fire inspection: Facility safeguarding is not achieved by one agency carrying out a single regulatory program. Total safeguarding is achieved through a multiplicity of regulatory programs and agencies including sanitation and fire inspectors. Fire inspections should be completed annually and within 12 months of the previous inspection. The fire inspection completed in 2022 was dated 6/1/22. The current fire inspection was dated 6/21/23. You stated that you did call and request an inspection, but it was not completed in time. We discussed putting a reminder to schedule a fire inspection in your calendar a few months ahead of the date needed so that there is ample time for an inspection to occur before 12 months lapse. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/ REMINDERS: TRANSITION BACK TO RATED LICENSE ASSESSMENTS AND COHORTS To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your child care center was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 4/1/2023 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ITERSR by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. You can request and complete an ITERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. Look at options to help staff earn the NC Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) – EDU 119, Early Educator Certification, the new NCECC Equivalency Exam option available on Moodle. Encourage staff to enroll in additional college coursework to meet or increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ . The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ITERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. Self-Service License Fee Management: Coming in November Speaking of the ABCMS portal, this fall DCDEE will use it to offer a new way to manage the annual license fee*. Instead of watching your mailbox for a paper invoice, you’ll be emailed an invoice directly from ABCMS. Concerned you’ll miss or lose the invoice? Don’t worry. You’ll be able to download/print invoices and submit online payments all within the same ABCMS portal. Operators and administrators will sign in to ABCMS using their business NCID credentials. If you don’t have a business NCID account, register one at https://ncid.nc.gov/ The Craven Smart Start is also able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on childcare issues. Their phone number is (252) 636- 3198 or check out their website at www.cravensmartstart.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Brittany Jones, Child Care Consultant, (252) 947-1036, Brittany.j.jones@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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