Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I

10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/18/2026 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 5/18/2026 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 04:30 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 and . S. Simmons, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/2/25, earning 7 points in the education component, 3 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for the child care administrator has at least 10 years of documented child care administration work experience in a licensed program. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 6/12/25. The sanitation inspection was completed 4/23/26 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 5/12/26. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 5/12/26 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. 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. I monitored all the indoor and outdoor spaces. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were observed engaged in tummy time on the carpet. The children in space #1 transitioned to the outdoor space and were observed riding on toys. In space #4, the children sang and danced to music. The outdoor spaces were observed to have large shade structures and trees to provide shade, a stationary climber, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of fish sticks, corn, peaches, and milk. The following violations 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 last fire inspection was dated 11/22/24. A current fire inspection was not available. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. Documentation of the staff/child ratio for space #4 was not posted. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not posted in space #4. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident report log on file was not up to date. .0802(g)(1-6) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A lockdown drill with completed on 12/11/25 and a shelter-in-place drill was completed on 4/1/26. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The EPR plan has not been updated to reflect current information. .0607(e) 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 6/1/26, 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 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: Emergency Preparedness: Your program’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan was created to assist you with following a plan in the event of an emergency. You must update your plan yearly or update the plan whenever changes occur in your program. The EPR plan has not been updated to reflect current information. During last year’s annual compliance visit, we discussed that the EPR plan needed to be updated to reflect the facility’s name change and current information. We discussed updating your plan during today’s visit and I showed you where to find the NC Risk Management Portal. Send a copy of the updated plan as part of your correction. Intentional planning of emergency drills ensures that emergency preparedness drills are being conducted in case of an emergency. A lockdown drill with completed on 12/11/25 and a shelter-in-place drill was completed on 4/1/26. We discussed that it would be helpful to add reminders in the digital calendar to send reminders every three months for emergency drills and annually to update the EPR plan and emergency drills can be completed more than every three months. You stated that emergency drills will be completed every month during the week of the fire drill. Incident Report Log: When an injury occurs in the facility that results in first aid or medical attention for a child or adult, the facility should complete an incident report. An incident log must be completed any time an incident report is completed. It must include the child’s name, date of the incident, the date the incident report was submitted to the Division (if applicable), the name of the staff member who completed the incident report, be cumulative and maintained in a separate file and available for review by a representative of the Division. Injury patterns and child abuse and neglect can be discerned from such records and can be used to prevent future problems. The incident report log on file was not up to date. You stated that you will place the incident log book beside the sign in/out sheets so the new system will include placing the incident report in the log book to be signed by the parent, logged on the log report, then placed in the child’s file. Place a copy of the incident log where it can be accessed anytime an incident report has been completed and then logged before placing the incident report in the child’s file. 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 last fire inspection was dated 11/22/24. A current fire inspection was not available. You stated that the annual security testing was not completed when it was scheduled so the fire inspection has not been completed. We discussed that it would be helpful to set a reminder in your calendar to request the annual security testing and fire inspection in advance so that they are able to schedule an inspection before 12 months has passed. Send a copy of the fire inspection with the compliance letter. Required Postings: A staff-to-child ratio is a measure of the number of children for whom each child care provider is responsible. The staff/child ratio applicable to a classroom must be posted in that classroom. Documentation of the staff/child ratio for space #4 was not posted. A staff/child ratio sheet was placed in the classroom to correct the violation. Classroom daily schedules are created to reflect the blocks of time assigned to types of activities. A schedule was not posted in space #4. You stated that the classroom had recently been rearranged and some of the postings needed to be replaced. A classroom schedule was posted to correct the violation. We discussed that it is important to have the required postings to ensure that all staff members are aware of the ratio, and the schedule for the day. Check classrooms monthly to ensure that all required postings are posted. Resources: As a licensed child care facility, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and to teach your staff the rules to ensure your center remains in compliance. The following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3 and ITERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. 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/ Additional Comments: Staff Education and Works: Assist staff with getting education posted in Works to count for your upcoming QRIS rated license reassessment. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Your QRIS assessment application is due by September 2026. You have decided to follow Pathway #2: Classroom & Instructional Quality Pathway and are implementing approved curriculums and formative assessments. We discussed all requirements of the pathway, and you stated that you will submit the rated license assessment application by September 2026. North Carolina General Statute 14-208 requires sex offenders to register with the North Carolina Department of Justice. The law states that a sex offender shall not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of the property on which any public or nonpublic school or child care center is located. This does not apply to child care centers that are located on or within 1,000 feet of property of an institution of higher education where the registrant is a student or is employed. All licensed child care centers must register to receive e-mail notification when a registered sex offender moves within a one-mile radius of the center. (§14-208.19) To register for the e-mail notification, go to http://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your local sheriff's department. 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. 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 music center with pots and pans, and soft furnishings with books and art materials under the shade structure. 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/18/2026 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 5/18/2026 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 04:30 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 and . S. Simmons, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/2/25, earning 7 points in the education component, 3 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for the child care administrator has at least 10 years of documented child care administration work experience in a licensed program. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 6/12/25. The sanitation inspection was completed 4/23/26 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 5/12/26. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 5/12/26 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. 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. I monitored all the indoor and outdoor spaces. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were observed engaged in tummy time on the carpet. The children in space #1 transitioned to the outdoor space and were observed riding on toys. In space #4, the children sang and danced to music. The outdoor spaces were observed to have large shade structures and trees to provide shade, a stationary climber, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of fish sticks, corn, peaches, and milk. The following violations 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 last fire inspection was dated 11/22/24. A current fire inspection was not available. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. Documentation of the staff/child ratio for space #4 was not posted. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not posted in space #4. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident report log on file was not up to date. .0802(g)(1-6) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A lockdown drill with completed on 12/11/25 and a shelter-in-place drill was completed on 4/1/26. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The EPR plan has not been updated to reflect current information. .0607(e) 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 6/1/26, 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 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: Emergency Preparedness: Your program’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan was created to assist you with following a plan in the event of an emergency. You must update your plan yearly or update the plan whenever changes occur in your program. The EPR plan has not been updated to reflect current information. During last year’s annual compliance visit, we discussed that the EPR plan needed to be updated to reflect the facility’s name change and current information. We discussed updating your plan during today’s visit and I showed you where to find the NC Risk Management Portal. Send a copy of the updated plan as part of your correction. Intentional planning of emergency drills ensures that emergency preparedness drills are being conducted in case of an emergency. A lockdown drill with completed on 12/11/25 and a shelter-in-place drill was completed on 4/1/26. We discussed that it would be helpful to add reminders in the digital calendar to send reminders every three months for emergency drills and annually to update the EPR plan and emergency drills can be completed more than every three months. You stated that emergency drills will be completed every month during the week of the fire drill. Incident Report Log: When an injury occurs in the facility that results in first aid or medical attention for a child or adult, the facility should complete an incident report. An incident log must be completed any time an incident report is completed. It must include the child’s name, date of the incident, the date the incident report was submitted to the Division (if applicable), the name of the staff member who completed the incident report, be cumulative and maintained in a separate file and available for review by a representative of the Division. Injury patterns and child abuse and neglect can be discerned from such records and can be used to prevent future problems. The incident report log on file was not up to date. You stated that you will place the incident log book beside the sign in/out sheets so the new system will include placing the incident report in the log book to be signed by the parent, logged on the log report, then placed in the child’s file. Place a copy of the incident log where it can be accessed anytime an incident report has been completed and then logged before placing the incident report in the child’s file. 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 last fire inspection was dated 11/22/24. A current fire inspection was not available. You stated that the annual security testing was not completed when it was scheduled so the fire inspection has not been completed. We discussed that it would be helpful to set a reminder in your calendar to request the annual security testing and fire inspection in advance so that they are able to schedule an inspection before 12 months has passed. Send a copy of the fire inspection with the compliance letter. Required Postings: A staff-to-child ratio is a measure of the number of children for whom each child care provider is responsible. The staff/child ratio applicable to a classroom must be posted in that classroom. Documentation of the staff/child ratio for space #4 was not posted. A staff/child ratio sheet was placed in the classroom to correct the violation. Classroom daily schedules are created to reflect the blocks of time assigned to types of activities. A schedule was not posted in space #4. You stated that the classroom had recently been rearranged and some of the postings needed to be replaced. A classroom schedule was posted to correct the violation. We discussed that it is important to have the required postings to ensure that all staff members are aware of the ratio, and the schedule for the day. Check classrooms monthly to ensure that all required postings are posted. Resources: As a licensed child care facility, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and to teach your staff the rules to ensure your center remains in compliance. The following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3 and ITERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. 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/ Additional Comments: Staff Education and Works: Assist staff with getting education posted in Works to count for your upcoming QRIS rated license reassessment. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Your QRIS assessment application is due by September 2026. You have decided to follow Pathway #2: Classroom & Instructional Quality Pathway and are implementing approved curriculums and formative assessments. We discussed all requirements of the pathway, and you stated that you will submit the rated license assessment application by September 2026. North Carolina General Statute 14-208 requires sex offenders to register with the North Carolina Department of Justice. The law states that a sex offender shall not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of the property on which any public or nonpublic school or child care center is located. This does not apply to child care centers that are located on or within 1,000 feet of property of an institution of higher education where the registrant is a student or is employed. All licensed child care centers must register to receive e-mail notification when a registered sex offender moves within a one-mile radius of the center. (§14-208.19) To register for the e-mail notification, go to http://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your local sheriff's department. 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. 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 music center with pots and pans, and soft furnishings with books and art materials under the shade structure. 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/18/2026 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 5/18/2026 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 04:30 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 and . S. Simmons, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/2/25, earning 7 points in the education component, 3 points in the program standards component and 1 quality point for the child care administrator has at least 10 years of documented child care administration work experience in a licensed program. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 6/12/25. The sanitation inspection was completed 4/23/26 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty nine percent as of 5/12/26. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 5/12/26 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. 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. I monitored all the indoor and outdoor spaces. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers, transitions, and personal care routines. Infants were observed engaged in tummy time on the carpet. The children in space #1 transitioned to the outdoor space and were observed riding on toys. In space #4, the children sang and danced to music. The outdoor spaces were observed to have large shade structures and trees to provide shade, a stationary climber, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of fish sticks, corn, peaches, and milk. The following violations 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 last fire inspection was dated 11/22/24. A current fire inspection was not available. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. Documentation of the staff/child ratio for space #4 was not posted. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not posted in space #4. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident report log on file was not up to date. .0802(g)(1-6) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A lockdown drill with completed on 12/11/25 and a shelter-in-place drill was completed on 4/1/26. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The EPR plan has not been updated to reflect current information. .0607(e) 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 6/1/26, 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 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: Emergency Preparedness: Your program’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan was created to assist you with following a plan in the event of an emergency. You must update your plan yearly or update the plan whenever changes occur in your program. The EPR plan has not been updated to reflect current information. During last year’s annual compliance visit, we discussed that the EPR plan needed to be updated to reflect the facility’s name change and current information. We discussed updating your plan during today’s visit and I showed you where to find the NC Risk Management Portal. Send a copy of the updated plan as part of your correction. Intentional planning of emergency drills ensures that emergency preparedness drills are being conducted in case of an emergency. A lockdown drill with completed on 12/11/25 and a shelter-in-place drill was completed on 4/1/26. We discussed that it would be helpful to add reminders in the digital calendar to send reminders every three months for emergency drills and annually to update the EPR plan and emergency drills can be completed more than every three months. You stated that emergency drills will be completed every month during the week of the fire drill. Incident Report Log: When an injury occurs in the facility that results in first aid or medical attention for a child or adult, the facility should complete an incident report. An incident log must be completed any time an incident report is completed. It must include the child’s name, date of the incident, the date the incident report was submitted to the Division (if applicable), the name of the staff member who completed the incident report, be cumulative and maintained in a separate file and available for review by a representative of the Division. Injury patterns and child abuse and neglect can be discerned from such records and can be used to prevent future problems. The incident report log on file was not up to date. You stated that you will place the incident log book beside the sign in/out sheets so the new system will include placing the incident report in the log book to be signed by the parent, logged on the log report, then placed in the child’s file. Place a copy of the incident log where it can be accessed anytime an incident report has been completed and then logged before placing the incident report in the child’s file. 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 last fire inspection was dated 11/22/24. A current fire inspection was not available. You stated that the annual security testing was not completed when it was scheduled so the fire inspection has not been completed. We discussed that it would be helpful to set a reminder in your calendar to request the annual security testing and fire inspection in advance so that they are able to schedule an inspection before 12 months has passed. Send a copy of the fire inspection with the compliance letter. Required Postings: A staff-to-child ratio is a measure of the number of children for whom each child care provider is responsible. The staff/child ratio applicable to a classroom must be posted in that classroom. Documentation of the staff/child ratio for space #4 was not posted. A staff/child ratio sheet was placed in the classroom to correct the violation. Classroom daily schedules are created to reflect the blocks of time assigned to types of activities. A schedule was not posted in space #4. You stated that the classroom had recently been rearranged and some of the postings needed to be replaced. A classroom schedule was posted to correct the violation. We discussed that it is important to have the required postings to ensure that all staff members are aware of the ratio, and the schedule for the day. Check classrooms monthly to ensure that all required postings are posted. Resources: As a licensed child care facility, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and to teach your staff the rules to ensure your center remains in compliance. The following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3 and ITERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. 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/ Additional Comments: Staff Education and Works: Assist staff with getting education posted in Works to count for your upcoming QRIS rated license reassessment. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Your QRIS assessment application is due by September 2026. You have decided to follow Pathway #2: Classroom & Instructional Quality Pathway and are implementing approved curriculums and formative assessments. We discussed all requirements of the pathway, and you stated that you will submit the rated license assessment application by September 2026. North Carolina General Statute 14-208 requires sex offenders to register with the North Carolina Department of Justice. The law states that a sex offender shall not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of the property on which any public or nonpublic school or child care center is located. This does not apply to child care centers that are located on or within 1,000 feet of property of an institution of higher education where the registrant is a student or is employed. All licensed child care centers must register to receive e-mail notification when a registered sex offender moves within a one-mile radius of the center. (§14-208.19) To register for the e-mail notification, go to http://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your local sheriff's department. 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. 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 music center with pots and pans, and soft furnishings with books and art materials under the shade structure. 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 .0902 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/10/2025 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 7/10/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 158 Time In: 10:37 AM Time Out: 01:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Admin Action Follow-Up Lic Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for an administrative action follow-up visit, including the Corrective Action Plan included in the Written Warning issued by the DCDEE to this facility on April 25, 2025. Upon entrance of the facility, I reviewed the Administrative Action-Written Warning, Cover Letter and Corrective Action Plan posted on the Parent Information Board that is located on the wall to the right when you walk into the facility. Upon arrival, the children enrolled in space #1 and space #4 were observed in the outdoor space pushing toys and climbing the stationary climber. Both spaces transitioned inside and completed personal care routines before singing songs and dancing. Infants were observed napping and preparing for lunch. Lunch was observed and consisted of pizza, corn, peaches, and milk. The following violation was observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 532 All children were not held or placed in feeding chairs or other appropriate apparatus to be fed. In space #3, a child was observed laying in a crib and drinking a bottle of milk. 10A NCAC 09 .0902(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 7/24/25, 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 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 Administrative Action: During today's visit, I monitored progress towards completion of the stipulations outlined in the Corrective Action Plan. Stipulation #1: Maintaining compliance with NC Child Care Requirements. One violation was observed. Stipulation #2: Within one (1) week after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall request an announced technical assistance visit to review how to maintain compliance with requirements related to staff/child ratios and staff files, with an emphasis on the criminal background check process and required forms. The technical assistance visit was conducted on 4/23/25. Stipulation #3: Within two (2) weeks after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall complete the training, From Staff Manager to Inspiring Leader, by Evelyn Knight. I received the training certificate on 5/28/25. Stipulation #4: Within two (2) weeks after the technical assistance visit is completed, Ms. Simmons shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff/child ratios. The written plan met the stipulation requirements on 6/30/25. Stipulation #5: Within two (2) weeks after notification that the stipulation has been met for the plan related to staff/child ratios, the administrator shall conduct a staff meeting with all staff members to discuss the plan. You stated that the staff meeting is being held tomorrow July 11, 2025. Send me the staff roster after the meeting. Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Infant Needs: Growth and development during infancy require that nourishing, wholesome, and developmentally appropriate food be provided, using safe approaches to feeding. In space #3, a child was observed laying in a crib and drinking a bottle of milk. We discussed that children must eat and drink while sitting at the table or in a high chair. You stated that you were getting the infants ready for lunch time and gave the child the bottle to keep her calm while getting the feeding chairs ready. Have a staff meeting to discuss the safety of children eating in feeding chairs and make classroom observations to ensure that infants are eating in feeding chairs. Additional Comments: NC Child Care Commission’s QRIS Modernization Plan (QRIS Reform): Review the Division’s website under the What’s new tab and QRIS Modernization for the proposed rules and pathways. Review to learn more about the offering of a choice of three pathways to demonstrate quality and earn a 2-5 Star Rated License, updates to education standards for early childhood educators to expand options; and how it adds standards for both educators and facilities that support continuous quality improvement and family/community engagement practices that promote communication and collaboration. Complete the survey with this information. 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, 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/10/2025 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 7/10/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 158 Time In: 10:37 AM Time Out: 01:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Admin Action Follow-Up Lic Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for an administrative action follow-up visit, including the Corrective Action Plan included in the Written Warning issued by the DCDEE to this facility on April 25, 2025. Upon entrance of the facility, I reviewed the Administrative Action-Written Warning, Cover Letter and Corrective Action Plan posted on the Parent Information Board that is located on the wall to the right when you walk into the facility. Upon arrival, the children enrolled in space #1 and space #4 were observed in the outdoor space pushing toys and climbing the stationary climber. Both spaces transitioned inside and completed personal care routines before singing songs and dancing. Infants were observed napping and preparing for lunch. Lunch was observed and consisted of pizza, corn, peaches, and milk. The following violation was observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 532 All children were not held or placed in feeding chairs or other appropriate apparatus to be fed. In space #3, a child was observed laying in a crib and drinking a bottle of milk. 10A NCAC 09 .0902(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 7/24/25, 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 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 Administrative Action: During today's visit, I monitored progress towards completion of the stipulations outlined in the Corrective Action Plan. Stipulation #1: Maintaining compliance with NC Child Care Requirements. One violation was observed. Stipulation #2: Within one (1) week after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall request an announced technical assistance visit to review how to maintain compliance with requirements related to staff/child ratios and staff files, with an emphasis on the criminal background check process and required forms. The technical assistance visit was conducted on 4/23/25. Stipulation #3: Within two (2) weeks after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall complete the training, From Staff Manager to Inspiring Leader, by Evelyn Knight. I received the training certificate on 5/28/25. Stipulation #4: Within two (2) weeks after the technical assistance visit is completed, Ms. Simmons shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff/child ratios. The written plan met the stipulation requirements on 6/30/25. Stipulation #5: Within two (2) weeks after notification that the stipulation has been met for the plan related to staff/child ratios, the administrator shall conduct a staff meeting with all staff members to discuss the plan. You stated that the staff meeting is being held tomorrow July 11, 2025. Send me the staff roster after the meeting. Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Infant Needs: Growth and development during infancy require that nourishing, wholesome, and developmentally appropriate food be provided, using safe approaches to feeding. In space #3, a child was observed laying in a crib and drinking a bottle of milk. We discussed that children must eat and drink while sitting at the table or in a high chair. You stated that you were getting the infants ready for lunch time and gave the child the bottle to keep her calm while getting the feeding chairs ready. Have a staff meeting to discuss the safety of children eating in feeding chairs and make classroom observations to ensure that infants are eating in feeding chairs. Additional Comments: NC Child Care Commission’s QRIS Modernization Plan (QRIS Reform): Review the Division’s website under the What’s new tab and QRIS Modernization for the proposed rules and pathways. Review to learn more about the offering of a choice of three pathways to demonstrate quality and earn a 2-5 Star Rated License, updates to education standards for early childhood educators to expand options; and how it adds standards for both educators and facilities that support continuous quality improvement and family/community engagement practices that promote communication and collaboration. Complete the survey with this information. 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, 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/12/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 6/12/2025 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 355 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 02:40 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 and for an administrative action follow-up visit, including the Corrective Action Plan included in the Written Warning issued by the DCDEE to this facility on April 25, 2025. E. Wynn, Legal Designee, and S. Shope Administrative Assistant, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a provisional license, issued 6/1/23. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 7/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed 5/23/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty six percent as of 6/3/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/3/25 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. 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. I monitored all the indoor and outdoor spaces. Upon entrance of the facility, I reviewed the Administrative Action-Written Warning, Cover Letter and Corrective Action Plan posted on the Parent Information Board that is located on the wall to the left when you walk into the facility. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers, group time, and routines. Children enrolled in space #1 and space #4 had a group time that included reciting the alphabet, counting, and singing songs. Infants were observed playing on the carpet with toys and napping. The children in space #1 were learning about the letter C and created a letter C craft with paper plates and crepe paper. The outdoor spaces were observed to have large shade structures and trees to provide shade, a stationary climber, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of pizza, corn, fruit cocktail, and milk. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In the bathroom located in space #1, a container of Triple Paste had written permission from the parent that expired 1/25/25. A container of Petroleum Jelly was in the mailbox on the toddler playground for a child that was no longer enrolled in the facility. .0803(12) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. A sleeping infant’s chart had not been maintained from 8:45AM to 9:30AM. .0606(g) 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). A staff member's criminal background check letter expired on 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 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 had a First Aid certificate that expired 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. .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 had a CPR certificate that expired 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. .1102(d) – 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 6/26/25, 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 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 Administrative Action: During today's visit, I monitored progress towards completion of the stipulations outlined in the Corrective Action Plan and items in .2201(j). Stipulation #1: Maintaining compliance with NC Child Care Requirements. Five (5) violations were observed. Stipulation #2: Within one (1) week after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall request an announced technical assistance visit to review how to maintain compliance with requirements related to staff/child ratios and staff files, with an emphasis on the criminal background check process and required forms. The technical assistance visit was conducted on 4/23/25. Stipulation #3: Within two (2) weeks after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall complete the training, From Staff Manager to Inspiring Leader, by Evelyn Knight. I received the training certificate on 5/28/25. Stipulation #4: Within two (2) weeks after the technical assistance visit is completed, Ms. Simmons shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff/child ratios. I received the written plan on 6/6/25. We discussed revisions to the written plan during the visit, and you submitted revisions to me during the visit. I will notify you if the written plan is sufficient or if modifications are needed. Stipulation #5: Within two (2) weeks after notification that the stipulation has been met for the plan related to staff/child ratios, the administrator shall conduct a staff meeting with all staff members to discuss the plan. This stipulation is pending the completion of stipulation #4. Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. Medication permission forms for OTC, prescription, and emergency medication have an administration log as part of the form. This must be completed any time the medication is given. In the bathroom located in space #1, a container of Triple Paste had written permission from the parent that expired 1/25/25. You stated that the child is now potty trained and is not using the cream and will send it home today. A container of Petroleum Jelly was in the mailbox on the toddler playground for a child that was no longer enrolled in the facility. We discussed that using a daily safety checklist would ensure that staff members are checking the learning environments for hazards and medication. Ensure that medication is being sent home within 72 hours after completion of treatment or being discarded by checking the learning environments daily. Safe Sleep Charts: Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important in determine compliance with the child care rules and to ensure the health and safety of each child. Infant sleep charts allow teachers to document visually checking sleeping infants every 15 minutes. They note the infant’s sleep position, skin color, breathing, level of sleep, and body temperature. This needs to be documented every time a child is sleeping in your care. Upon checking the safe sleep charts for the infants enrolled, I found that a sleeping infant’s chart had not been maintained from 8:45AM to 9:30AM. The teacher documented a visual check for the infant once it was brought to her attention, but it needs to be done every time the children are asleep. We discussed that using a timer would give an alert every 15 minutes as a reminder when you are busy caring for the children. Keep the clipboard with the sleep checks close by as a visual reminder to document sleep checks every 15 minutes. Staff Records: The health and safety of children requires that information regarding each staff working with the children be kept and available when needed. Staff records consist of various documentation such as employment application, medical report, TB test results, Annual Health Questionnaire, emergency contact information, receipt of policies, CBC qualification letter, and documentation of orientation, in-service hours, CPR and First Aid, and playground safety. Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. Review staff and children's files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. A staff member had a CPR/First Aid certificate that expired 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. I observed that a visual reminder of the expiration dates of certificates had been posted in the office and in the hallway where staff members can review it. You stated that this was recently added. D. Smith-Davy’s criminal background check letter expired on 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. We discussed adding the due dates for qualifying letters and certificates in a digital calendar that can send reminders in advance of due date. You stated that you have created a google calendar to update with due dates. Add reviewing the staff and training worksheets to your monthly checklist to ensure that certifications and letters are kept current. Additional Comments: ABCMS Provider Portal: You have completed the ABCMS Provider training. Connect all staff members to the facility using the Portal guide that I shared with you today. EPR Plan: Your program’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan was created to assist you with following a plan in the event of an emergency. Update the EPR Plan to reflect the facility’s new name. 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. 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. 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/12/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 6/12/2025 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 355 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 02:40 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 and for an administrative action follow-up visit, including the Corrective Action Plan included in the Written Warning issued by the DCDEE to this facility on April 25, 2025. E. Wynn, Legal Designee, and S. Shope Administrative Assistant, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a provisional license, issued 6/1/23. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 7/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed 5/23/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty six percent as of 6/3/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 6/3/25 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. 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. I monitored all the indoor and outdoor spaces. Upon entrance of the facility, I reviewed the Administrative Action-Written Warning, Cover Letter and Corrective Action Plan posted on the Parent Information Board that is located on the wall to the left when you walk into the facility. Children throughout the center were engaged in free play in activity centers, group time, and routines. Children enrolled in space #1 and space #4 had a group time that included reciting the alphabet, counting, and singing songs. Infants were observed playing on the carpet with toys and napping. The children in space #1 were learning about the letter C and created a letter C craft with paper plates and crepe paper. The outdoor spaces were observed to have large shade structures and trees to provide shade, a stationary climber, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Lunch was observed and consisted of pizza, corn, fruit cocktail, and milk. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In the bathroom located in space #1, a container of Triple Paste had written permission from the parent that expired 1/25/25. A container of Petroleum Jelly was in the mailbox on the toddler playground for a child that was no longer enrolled in the facility. .0803(12) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. A sleeping infant’s chart had not been maintained from 8:45AM to 9:30AM. .0606(g) 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). A staff member's criminal background check letter expired on 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 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 had a First Aid certificate that expired 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. .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 had a CPR certificate that expired 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. .1102(d) – 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 6/26/25, 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 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 Administrative Action: During today's visit, I monitored progress towards completion of the stipulations outlined in the Corrective Action Plan and items in .2201(j). Stipulation #1: Maintaining compliance with NC Child Care Requirements. Five (5) violations were observed. Stipulation #2: Within one (1) week after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall request an announced technical assistance visit to review how to maintain compliance with requirements related to staff/child ratios and staff files, with an emphasis on the criminal background check process and required forms. The technical assistance visit was conducted on 4/23/25. Stipulation #3: Within two (2) weeks after this Notice is received, the administrator, shall complete the training, From Staff Manager to Inspiring Leader, by Evelyn Knight. I received the training certificate on 5/28/25. Stipulation #4: Within two (2) weeks after the technical assistance visit is completed, Ms. Simmons shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff/child ratios. I received the written plan on 6/6/25. We discussed revisions to the written plan during the visit, and you submitted revisions to me during the visit. I will notify you if the written plan is sufficient or if modifications are needed. Stipulation #5: Within two (2) weeks after notification that the stipulation has been met for the plan related to staff/child ratios, the administrator shall conduct a staff meeting with all staff members to discuss the plan. This stipulation is pending the completion of stipulation #4. Technical Assistance with Documented Violations: Medication: Administering medication requires skill, knowledge, and careful attention to detail. All medications for children present at the center must have a current, completed medication permission form even if there is a Medical Action Plan. The medication permission forms provide additional information that could be critical to the administration of the medication and the care of the child. Medication permission forms for OTC, prescription, and emergency medication have an administration log as part of the form. This must be completed any time the medication is given. In the bathroom located in space #1, a container of Triple Paste had written permission from the parent that expired 1/25/25. You stated that the child is now potty trained and is not using the cream and will send it home today. A container of Petroleum Jelly was in the mailbox on the toddler playground for a child that was no longer enrolled in the facility. We discussed that using a daily safety checklist would ensure that staff members are checking the learning environments for hazards and medication. Ensure that medication is being sent home within 72 hours after completion of treatment or being discarded by checking the learning environments daily. Safe Sleep Charts: Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important in determine compliance with the child care rules and to ensure the health and safety of each child. Infant sleep charts allow teachers to document visually checking sleeping infants every 15 minutes. They note the infant’s sleep position, skin color, breathing, level of sleep, and body temperature. This needs to be documented every time a child is sleeping in your care. Upon checking the safe sleep charts for the infants enrolled, I found that a sleeping infant’s chart had not been maintained from 8:45AM to 9:30AM. The teacher documented a visual check for the infant once it was brought to her attention, but it needs to be done every time the children are asleep. We discussed that using a timer would give an alert every 15 minutes as a reminder when you are busy caring for the children. Keep the clipboard with the sleep checks close by as a visual reminder to document sleep checks every 15 minutes. Staff Records: The health and safety of children requires that information regarding each staff working with the children be kept and available when needed. Staff records consist of various documentation such as employment application, medical report, TB test results, Annual Health Questionnaire, emergency contact information, receipt of policies, CBC qualification letter, and documentation of orientation, in-service hours, CPR and First Aid, and playground safety. Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. Review staff and children's files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. A staff member had a CPR/First Aid certificate that expired 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. I observed that a visual reminder of the expiration dates of certificates had been posted in the office and in the hallway where staff members can review it. You stated that this was recently added. D. Smith-Davy’s criminal background check letter expired on 3/6/25 and was not renewed until 4/15/25. We discussed adding the due dates for qualifying letters and certificates in a digital calendar that can send reminders in advance of due date. You stated that you have created a google calendar to update with due dates. Add reviewing the staff and training worksheets to your monthly checklist to ensure that certifications and letters are kept current. Additional Comments: ABCMS Provider Portal: You have completed the ABCMS Provider training. Connect all staff members to the facility using the Portal guide that I shared with you today. EPR Plan: Your program’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan was created to assist you with following a plan in the event of an emergency. Update the EPR Plan to reflect the facility’s new name. 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. 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. 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 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0325-200L Visit Date: 4/1/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/1/2025 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 247 Time In: 08:53 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. S. Simmons, Administrator, and D. Davy, Legal Designee, assisted me with today’s visit. Staff/child ratio, group size, supervision, use of licensed space, space capacity, license restrictions, and the outdoor environment were monitored. Upon arrival, children throughout the center were having a breakfast of chex cereal, blueberries, and milk. Toddlers created spring flowers on paper with paint and forks. Preschoolers transitioned to the outdoor space. Lunch was observed and included hot dogs, baked beans, mixed fruit, buns, and milk. I reviewed attendance, arrival and departure times for the past month, and staff timesheet records documenting staff schedules. I also interviewed the administrator and staff members and made classroom observations. Upon arrival, a staff member opened the door to the facility to let me in the building. Due to the staff member leaving the classroom space, in space #1, ten (10) children 2-4 years of age were in care with one staff member. One of the staff members from space #1 left the classroom space and went down the hallway to the parent board during the visit. It was reported to me that children are combined in the first hour that the facility is open from 6AM- 7AM and according to the sign-in and out sheets, four (4) children are in attendance during that hour. There are not any school age children reported to be enrolled at this facility. According to the classroom schedule and staff interviewed, free play is offered throughout the day. Based on the above information, the allegation was confirmed. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. Submission of the required forms to complete a criminal background check has not occurred to date. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival, a staff member opened the door to the facility to let me in the building. Due to the staff member leaving the classroom space, in space #1, ten (10) children 2-4 years of age were in care with one staff member. One of the staff members assigned to space #1 left the classroom space and went down the hallway to the parent board during the visit. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 4/15/25, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, 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: 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. Staff child ratios were not maintained during today’s visit when a staff member assigned to space #1 opened the door to the facility and left the classroom to go into the hallway. You stated that there are usually only nine (9) children in attendance in space #1 and the overflow are moved to space #4. We discussed that constant communication is needed between staff members to ask if a child can be moved and when assistance is needed. You stated that the staff members haven’t been using the walkie talkies but will ensure that they are charged and passed out. I observed a keypad in the infant room that has access to a camera pointed at the front door and an intercom. You stated that staff members are to people to go to a side door if there is not a staff member available to open the door. Conduct random classroom observations to ensure that staff members are communicating with each other with each other to ensure that ratios are being maintained at all times. Criminal Background Check: Intentional planning for completing criminal background checks before they expire five years from the date on the letter will eliminate a lapse in criminal background checks. Paper work can be sent in up to six months before the expiration date in order to obtain a new letter. The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. Submission of the required forms to complete a criminal background check has not occurred to date. This violation must be corrected within fifteen (15) days, by April 16, 2025, and a copy of the qualification letter must be sent with the required compliance letter. If the qualification letter is not on file within the 15 days, the employee cannot be at the facility any longer until they receive their qualification letter. You stated that you will be completing the application today and then will go get your fingerprints completed. A tracking system should be put into place to help you remind staff to submit paperwork before a qualification letter expires. Additional Comments: Administrator hours: Based on your licensed capacity, the administrator must be on site performing administrative duties a minimum of 25 hours per week. S. Simmons, the administrator, reported to me that she is on-site Monday-Friday 9AM-12PM, which is 15 hours a week. You stated that you are on-site at your other facility in the afternoons. A violation was documented for failure to maintain compliance with staff/child ratio requirements. Violations of this nature directly impact the safety of the children while in your care. In addition, these types of violations have the greatest negative impact on your compliance history. During the visit, we discussed that repeated violations of this nature during consecutive visits may lead to an administrative action against your license. A follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to monitor compliance with child care requirements. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0325-200L Visit Date: 4/1/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/1/2025 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 247 Time In: 08:53 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. S. Simmons, Administrator, and D. Davy, Legal Designee, assisted me with today’s visit. Staff/child ratio, group size, supervision, use of licensed space, space capacity, license restrictions, and the outdoor environment were monitored. Upon arrival, children throughout the center were having a breakfast of chex cereal, blueberries, and milk. Toddlers created spring flowers on paper with paint and forks. Preschoolers transitioned to the outdoor space. Lunch was observed and included hot dogs, baked beans, mixed fruit, buns, and milk. I reviewed attendance, arrival and departure times for the past month, and staff timesheet records documenting staff schedules. I also interviewed the administrator and staff members and made classroom observations. Upon arrival, a staff member opened the door to the facility to let me in the building. Due to the staff member leaving the classroom space, in space #1, ten (10) children 2-4 years of age were in care with one staff member. One of the staff members from space #1 left the classroom space and went down the hallway to the parent board during the visit. It was reported to me that children are combined in the first hour that the facility is open from 6AM- 7AM and according to the sign-in and out sheets, four (4) children are in attendance during that hour. There are not any school age children reported to be enrolled at this facility. According to the classroom schedule and staff interviewed, free play is offered throughout the day. Based on the above information, the allegation was confirmed. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. Submission of the required forms to complete a criminal background check has not occurred to date. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival, a staff member opened the door to the facility to let me in the building. Due to the staff member leaving the classroom space, in space #1, ten (10) children 2-4 years of age were in care with one staff member. One of the staff members assigned to space #1 left the classroom space and went down the hallway to the parent board during the visit. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 4/15/25, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, 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: 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. Staff child ratios were not maintained during today’s visit when a staff member assigned to space #1 opened the door to the facility and left the classroom to go into the hallway. You stated that there are usually only nine (9) children in attendance in space #1 and the overflow are moved to space #4. We discussed that constant communication is needed between staff members to ask if a child can be moved and when assistance is needed. You stated that the staff members haven’t been using the walkie talkies but will ensure that they are charged and passed out. I observed a keypad in the infant room that has access to a camera pointed at the front door and an intercom. You stated that staff members are to people to go to a side door if there is not a staff member available to open the door. Conduct random classroom observations to ensure that staff members are communicating with each other with each other to ensure that ratios are being maintained at all times. Criminal Background Check: Intentional planning for completing criminal background checks before they expire five years from the date on the letter will eliminate a lapse in criminal background checks. Paper work can be sent in up to six months before the expiration date in order to obtain a new letter. The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. Submission of the required forms to complete a criminal background check has not occurred to date. This violation must be corrected within fifteen (15) days, by April 16, 2025, and a copy of the qualification letter must be sent with the required compliance letter. If the qualification letter is not on file within the 15 days, the employee cannot be at the facility any longer until they receive their qualification letter. You stated that you will be completing the application today and then will go get your fingerprints completed. A tracking system should be put into place to help you remind staff to submit paperwork before a qualification letter expires. Additional Comments: Administrator hours: Based on your licensed capacity, the administrator must be on site performing administrative duties a minimum of 25 hours per week. S. Simmons, the administrator, reported to me that she is on-site Monday-Friday 9AM-12PM, which is 15 hours a week. You stated that you are on-site at your other facility in the afternoons. A violation was documented for failure to maintain compliance with staff/child ratio requirements. Violations of this nature directly impact the safety of the children while in your care. In addition, these types of violations have the greatest negative impact on your compliance history. During the visit, we discussed that repeated violations of this nature during consecutive visits may lead to an administrative action against your license. A follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to monitor compliance with child care requirements. 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0325-200L Visit Date: 4/1/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/1/2025 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 247 Time In: 08:53 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. S. Simmons, Administrator, and D. Davy, Legal Designee, assisted me with today’s visit. Staff/child ratio, group size, supervision, use of licensed space, space capacity, license restrictions, and the outdoor environment were monitored. Upon arrival, children throughout the center were having a breakfast of chex cereal, blueberries, and milk. Toddlers created spring flowers on paper with paint and forks. Preschoolers transitioned to the outdoor space. Lunch was observed and included hot dogs, baked beans, mixed fruit, buns, and milk. I reviewed attendance, arrival and departure times for the past month, and staff timesheet records documenting staff schedules. I also interviewed the administrator and staff members and made classroom observations. Upon arrival, a staff member opened the door to the facility to let me in the building. Due to the staff member leaving the classroom space, in space #1, ten (10) children 2-4 years of age were in care with one staff member. One of the staff members from space #1 left the classroom space and went down the hallway to the parent board during the visit. It was reported to me that children are combined in the first hour that the facility is open from 6AM- 7AM and according to the sign-in and out sheets, four (4) children are in attendance during that hour. There are not any school age children reported to be enrolled at this facility. According to the classroom schedule and staff interviewed, free play is offered throughout the day. Based on the above information, the allegation was confirmed. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. Submission of the required forms to complete a criminal background check has not occurred to date. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival, a staff member opened the door to the facility to let me in the building. Due to the staff member leaving the classroom space, in space #1, ten (10) children 2-4 years of age were in care with one staff member. One of the staff members assigned to space #1 left the classroom space and went down the hallway to the parent board during the visit. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 4/15/25, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, 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: 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. Staff child ratios were not maintained during today’s visit when a staff member assigned to space #1 opened the door to the facility and left the classroom to go into the hallway. You stated that there are usually only nine (9) children in attendance in space #1 and the overflow are moved to space #4. We discussed that constant communication is needed between staff members to ask if a child can be moved and when assistance is needed. You stated that the staff members haven’t been using the walkie talkies but will ensure that they are charged and passed out. I observed a keypad in the infant room that has access to a camera pointed at the front door and an intercom. You stated that staff members are to people to go to a side door if there is not a staff member available to open the door. Conduct random classroom observations to ensure that staff members are communicating with each other with each other to ensure that ratios are being maintained at all times. Criminal Background Check: Intentional planning for completing criminal background checks before they expire five years from the date on the letter will eliminate a lapse in criminal background checks. Paper work can be sent in up to six months before the expiration date in order to obtain a new letter. The administrator, S. Simmons, had a five-year criminal qualifying letter that expired on March 13, 2025. Submission of the required forms to complete a criminal background check has not occurred to date. This violation must be corrected within fifteen (15) days, by April 16, 2025, and a copy of the qualification letter must be sent with the required compliance letter. If the qualification letter is not on file within the 15 days, the employee cannot be at the facility any longer until they receive their qualification letter. You stated that you will be completing the application today and then will go get your fingerprints completed. A tracking system should be put into place to help you remind staff to submit paperwork before a qualification letter expires. Additional Comments: Administrator hours: Based on your licensed capacity, the administrator must be on site performing administrative duties a minimum of 25 hours per week. S. Simmons, the administrator, reported to me that she is on-site Monday-Friday 9AM-12PM, which is 15 hours a week. You stated that you are on-site at your other facility in the afternoons. A violation was documented for failure to maintain compliance with staff/child ratio requirements. Violations of this nature directly impact the safety of the children while in your care. In addition, these types of violations have the greatest negative impact on your compliance history. During the visit, we discussed that repeated violations of this nature during consecutive visits may lead to an administrative action against your license. A follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to monitor compliance with child care requirements. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/26/2025 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 2/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 155 Time In: 12:45 PM Time Out: 03:20 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. S. Simmons, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/2/25, earning 7 points in the education component, 3 points in program standards component and 1 quality point for the child care administrator has at least 10 years of documented child care administration work experience in a licensed program. The last temporary time period visit was conducted 12/3/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 11/22/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted on 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty three percent as of 2/11/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 2/11/25 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored.. Children throughout the facility were participating napping on child sized mats covered with sheets. Infants were engaged in free play on the carpet, napping, and feeding routines. The outdoor space was observed to have a large shade structure with tables and a variety of toys beneath, stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Snack was observed and included graham crackers, applesauce, and water. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A board in the fence on the outdoor space #2 is warped causing a space for entrapment. 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. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/12/25, 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 Violations: ABCMS: As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. You stated that you will complete the training and send me your certificate with the compliance letter. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to 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. A board in the fence on the outdoor space #2 is warped causing a space for entrapment. You stated that you have spoken to someone that is going to fix the fence soon. Check the outdoor spaces everyday before the children to ensure that hazards are removed. Use the monthly playground safety forms to thoroughly inspect the outdoor spaces and notate when solutions are needed. Additional Comments: 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. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/26/2025 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 2/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 155 Time In: 12:45 PM Time Out: 03:20 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. S. Simmons, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/2/25, earning 7 points in the education component, 3 points in program standards component and 1 quality point for the child care administrator has at least 10 years of documented child care administration work experience in a licensed program. The last temporary time period visit was conducted 12/3/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 11/22/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted on 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty three percent as of 2/11/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 2/11/25 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored.. Children throughout the facility were participating napping on child sized mats covered with sheets. Infants were engaged in free play on the carpet, napping, and feeding routines. The outdoor space was observed to have a large shade structure with tables and a variety of toys beneath, stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Snack was observed and included graham crackers, applesauce, and water. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A board in the fence on the outdoor space #2 is warped causing a space for entrapment. 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. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/12/25, 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 Violations: ABCMS: As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. You stated that you will complete the training and send me your certificate with the compliance letter. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to 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. A board in the fence on the outdoor space #2 is warped causing a space for entrapment. You stated that you have spoken to someone that is going to fix the fence soon. Check the outdoor spaces everyday before the children to ensure that hazards are removed. Use the monthly playground safety forms to thoroughly inspect the outdoor spaces and notate when solutions are needed. Additional Comments: 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. 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: BRITTANY JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/26/2025 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 2/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 155 Time In: 12:45 PM Time Out: 03:20 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. S. Simmons, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued 1/2/25, earning 7 points in the education component, 3 points in program standards component and 1 quality point for the child care administrator has at least 10 years of documented child care administration work experience in a licensed program. The last temporary time period visit was conducted 12/3/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 11/22/24 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted on 11/22/24. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty three percent as of 2/11/25. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 2/11/25 and Discovery Of Excellence Childcare and After-School was listed as current- active. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored.. Children throughout the facility were participating napping on child sized mats covered with sheets. Infants were engaged in free play on the carpet, napping, and feeding routines. The outdoor space was observed to have a large shade structure with tables and a variety of toys beneath, stationary climbers, riding toys, and balls for the children to engage in gross motor activities. Snack was observed and included graham crackers, applesauce, and water. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A board in the fence on the outdoor space #2 is warped causing a space for entrapment. 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. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/12/25, 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 Violations: ABCMS: As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. You stated that you will complete the training and send me your certificate with the compliance letter. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Outdoor Environment: The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to 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. A board in the fence on the outdoor space #2 is warped causing a space for entrapment. You stated that you have spoken to someone that is going to fix the fence soon. Check the outdoor spaces everyday before the children to ensure that hazards are removed. Use the monthly playground safety forms to thoroughly inspect the outdoor spaces and notate when solutions are needed. Additional Comments: 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. 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 .0801 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/13/2024 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 12/13/2024 Age: From 1 To 8 Total Minutes: 75 Time In: 12:45 PM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Unannounced Visit Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s visit was to verify correction of violation (item # 201) documented during your December 3, 2024 Temporary Time Period Visit. E. Wynne, Legal Designee; C. Simmons, Executive Director, assisted with the visit. The children were resting when I arrived at the facility. Item # 201 - On 12/3/24 eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet. The capacity for each space was verified in compliance during today's visit. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 1302 Individual applications were not on file for each child. Records for three (3) children in care (ranging in age from 5-8 years old) were not available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a) * Compliance: The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 82%. The violation documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/27/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: As a child care owner, you are required to maintain accurate records for the children in your care. During today’s visit, records for three (3) children in care (ranging in age from 5-8 years old) were not available for review. You indicated the children are enrolled in your 2nd location Discovery of Excellence Childcare II 25000634 and were in this location because the heating system was not working in the 2nd location. Records are used to verify that your program is meeting the child care requirements for a childcare center. Children’s records consist of items such as an application, a medical and immunization history, emergency medical care information, and parental acknowledgement that they received policies relevant to your program. All records are used by your child care consultant to verify compliance with the requirements. The children’s record checklist has been designed for you to use to help with record keeping. You left the facility and went to your 2nd location to retrieve the files for the three (3) children. You also indicated the heating unit has been out for about 2 weeks starting on December 3, 2024 and that the location now operates Monday-Thursday, closed every Friday. You did not make me aware of this prior to today. Additional Comments: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. Unannounced Visits - I will conduct additional unannounced visits. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Lakisha Skinner, Lead Child Care Consultant, 252-820-5976, Lakisha.Skinner@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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/3/2024 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 12/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a third temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. E. Wynne, Legal Designee; C. Simmons and S. Simmons, Executive Directors, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You provided a building inspection dated 11/22/24. Some information is missing on the inspection form. You indicated you would contact the building inspector to have the form completed in its entirety. You have not provided a copy of an approved fire inspection. The sanitation inspection you provided indicated lead in water testing completed on 11/6/24; however, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website indicates enrollment was completed on 11/12/24 and there are 0 samples and 0 results. We reviewed the website together and you indicated you would contact environmental health to seek clarification about the date provided. Enrollment was started for lead based paint and asbestos testing; however, results have not been completed. I must receive those results to process a star rated license. If your facility does not provide approved inspections and asbestos and lead testing results before the end of the 6-month temporary time period, some type of administrative action may be issued. The children were eating cereal with milk from a bowl. After breakfast, hand washing routines were completed and the children engaged in morning group activities. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included pizza rolls, tater tots, fruit cocktail and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 201 A room was occupied by more children than the space allowed at 25-sq. ft. of floor space per child. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet. GS 110-91(6); .1401(f) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A posted activity plan in space 1 was dated November 25-27, 2024. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 501 Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(a) 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3 (designated for children 0-1 year of age). 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames and keep away from children, requiring locked storage. .2820(b) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. .0604(q) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Visual checks for the sleeping infant observed during today's visit were not documented. .0606(g) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. .1101(a) * Compliance: The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 84%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/17/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Lead Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: Capacity – Child care requirements do not prohibit you from shifting children to different classrooms during the day to meet staff/child ratios; however, children thrive in a stable environment and function best when they are in the same classroom daily with the same teachers and group of friends. This helps you to verify that staff/child ratios, group size and space capacity are met throughout the day. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet and six (6) children at 30 square feet. You are currently choosing to serve 7 children at 25 square feet. You immediately moved the two (2) infants to space 3 during today’s visit. You must know your capacities. The staff/child ratio chart posted in each space indicates the maximum number of children allowed. Plastic Bags – Plastic bags have been recognized for many years as a suffocation hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received average annual reports of twenty-five deaths per year to children due to suffocation from plastic bags. In child care facilities, plastic bags must be made inaccessible to children less than three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. This violation was documented on 8/13/24 and today. On 8/20/24 you indicated in the compliance letter submitted, plastic bags would be stored in the kitchen in a locked cabinet and provided to staff when needed. You must implement a strategy that is effective and help your facility to meet and maintain compliance. If the teachers are going to use the plastic zip lock bags, then these bags must be stored out of reach of the children, which is defined as five feet or higher from the finished floor. Completing safety checks will help to ensure this item is meeting compliance. Electrical Outlets - Approximately 2,400 children are injured annually by inserting objects into the slots of electrical outlets. For this reason, all electrical outlets, including those on power strips, not in use that are in areas accessible to children must be protected with a safety plug or a tamper-resistant electrical outlet. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3. You did not indicate why. Taping a reminder on the wall over each socket and power stick can serve as a reminder to add the safety cover when not in use or have the wall plate on the socket replaced with a tamper resistant electrical outlet. Activity Plans – Activity Plans – Preschool lesson plans lay the groundwork for a child's initial entry into the world of learning. They act as roadmaps, guiding young learners through the various stages of early academic growth. You have a posted activity plan in space 1 dated November 25-27. You must complete a current weekly activity plan to include developmentally appropriate activities for enrolled children. Using planning time to create activity plans 2-3 weeks in advance allows staff to observe and create meaningful experiences for children and time to obtain the needed materials to facilitate learning each week. Storage of Hazardous Items – Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. You indicated that it was your fault because you placed it on the desk. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames; keep away from children, requiring locked storage. Prevention is the key to prevent poisonings by making sure all items required to be kept in locked storage are indeed locked up. Meals and Snack – Planning menus in advance helps to ensure that food will be on hand. Posting menus in a prominent area and distributing them to parents/guardians helps to inform parents/ guardians about proper nutrition. Parents/guardians need to be informed about food served in the facility to know how to complement it with the food they serve at home. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. The cook indicated because the children pick at the fruit, she did not serve it. If a child has difficulty with any food served at the facility, proper planning should occur to ensure children are served all components. Infant Sleep Practices – Safe sleep practices help reduce the risk of sudden infant deaths (SIDs). Completing and documenting visual checks every 15 minutes is one important measure on keeping infants safe. Visual checks for the sleeping infant were not completed. You indicated the safe sleep check form was next door in space 4. Although the cause of many sudden infant deaths may not be known, researchers believe that some infants develop in a manner that makes it challenging for them to be aroused or to breathe when they experience a life-threatening challenge during sleep. This is why child care rules require that an ITS-SIDS Policy be developed and followed at all times. Staff Files (Medical Report) - Caregivers/teachers need to be physically and emotionally healthy to perform the tasks of providing care to children. A medical report should be on file prior to hire. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. You contacted the owner to bring the medical report from the 2nd location, it did not arrive prior to the close of today’s visit. Orientation- Employee orientation is the process of introducing newly hired employees to their new workplace. It provides the basic organizational information employees need to feel prepared for their new role within the facility. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. Effective employee orientation makes employees aware of company policies and expectations, handles essential paperwork, and answers any questions or concerns they may have before they transition into their new positions. Orientation is important because it signifies the beginning of the relationship between employee and employer. Additional Comments: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct additional unannounced visits. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/3/2024 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 12/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a third temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. E. Wynne, Legal Designee; C. Simmons and S. Simmons, Executive Directors, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You provided a building inspection dated 11/22/24. Some information is missing on the inspection form. You indicated you would contact the building inspector to have the form completed in its entirety. You have not provided a copy of an approved fire inspection. The sanitation inspection you provided indicated lead in water testing completed on 11/6/24; however, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website indicates enrollment was completed on 11/12/24 and there are 0 samples and 0 results. We reviewed the website together and you indicated you would contact environmental health to seek clarification about the date provided. Enrollment was started for lead based paint and asbestos testing; however, results have not been completed. I must receive those results to process a star rated license. If your facility does not provide approved inspections and asbestos and lead testing results before the end of the 6-month temporary time period, some type of administrative action may be issued. The children were eating cereal with milk from a bowl. After breakfast, hand washing routines were completed and the children engaged in morning group activities. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included pizza rolls, tater tots, fruit cocktail and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 201 A room was occupied by more children than the space allowed at 25-sq. ft. of floor space per child. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet. GS 110-91(6); .1401(f) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A posted activity plan in space 1 was dated November 25-27, 2024. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 501 Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(a) 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3 (designated for children 0-1 year of age). 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames and keep away from children, requiring locked storage. .2820(b) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. .0604(q) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Visual checks for the sleeping infant observed during today's visit were not documented. .0606(g) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. .1101(a) * Compliance: The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 84%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/17/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Lead Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: Capacity – Child care requirements do not prohibit you from shifting children to different classrooms during the day to meet staff/child ratios; however, children thrive in a stable environment and function best when they are in the same classroom daily with the same teachers and group of friends. This helps you to verify that staff/child ratios, group size and space capacity are met throughout the day. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet and six (6) children at 30 square feet. You are currently choosing to serve 7 children at 25 square feet. You immediately moved the two (2) infants to space 3 during today’s visit. You must know your capacities. The staff/child ratio chart posted in each space indicates the maximum number of children allowed. Plastic Bags – Plastic bags have been recognized for many years as a suffocation hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received average annual reports of twenty-five deaths per year to children due to suffocation from plastic bags. In child care facilities, plastic bags must be made inaccessible to children less than three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. This violation was documented on 8/13/24 and today. On 8/20/24 you indicated in the compliance letter submitted, plastic bags would be stored in the kitchen in a locked cabinet and provided to staff when needed. You must implement a strategy that is effective and help your facility to meet and maintain compliance. If the teachers are going to use the plastic zip lock bags, then these bags must be stored out of reach of the children, which is defined as five feet or higher from the finished floor. Completing safety checks will help to ensure this item is meeting compliance. Electrical Outlets - Approximately 2,400 children are injured annually by inserting objects into the slots of electrical outlets. For this reason, all electrical outlets, including those on power strips, not in use that are in areas accessible to children must be protected with a safety plug or a tamper-resistant electrical outlet. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3. You did not indicate why. Taping a reminder on the wall over each socket and power stick can serve as a reminder to add the safety cover when not in use or have the wall plate on the socket replaced with a tamper resistant electrical outlet. Activity Plans – Activity Plans – Preschool lesson plans lay the groundwork for a child's initial entry into the world of learning. They act as roadmaps, guiding young learners through the various stages of early academic growth. You have a posted activity plan in space 1 dated November 25-27. You must complete a current weekly activity plan to include developmentally appropriate activities for enrolled children. Using planning time to create activity plans 2-3 weeks in advance allows staff to observe and create meaningful experiences for children and time to obtain the needed materials to facilitate learning each week. Storage of Hazardous Items – Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. You indicated that it was your fault because you placed it on the desk. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames; keep away from children, requiring locked storage. Prevention is the key to prevent poisonings by making sure all items required to be kept in locked storage are indeed locked up. Meals and Snack – Planning menus in advance helps to ensure that food will be on hand. Posting menus in a prominent area and distributing them to parents/guardians helps to inform parents/ guardians about proper nutrition. Parents/guardians need to be informed about food served in the facility to know how to complement it with the food they serve at home. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. The cook indicated because the children pick at the fruit, she did not serve it. If a child has difficulty with any food served at the facility, proper planning should occur to ensure children are served all components. Infant Sleep Practices – Safe sleep practices help reduce the risk of sudden infant deaths (SIDs). Completing and documenting visual checks every 15 minutes is one important measure on keeping infants safe. Visual checks for the sleeping infant were not completed. You indicated the safe sleep check form was next door in space 4. Although the cause of many sudden infant deaths may not be known, researchers believe that some infants develop in a manner that makes it challenging for them to be aroused or to breathe when they experience a life-threatening challenge during sleep. This is why child care rules require that an ITS-SIDS Policy be developed and followed at all times. Staff Files (Medical Report) - Caregivers/teachers need to be physically and emotionally healthy to perform the tasks of providing care to children. A medical report should be on file prior to hire. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. You contacted the owner to bring the medical report from the 2nd location, it did not arrive prior to the close of today’s visit. Orientation- Employee orientation is the process of introducing newly hired employees to their new workplace. It provides the basic organizational information employees need to feel prepared for their new role within the facility. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. Effective employee orientation makes employees aware of company policies and expectations, handles essential paperwork, and answers any questions or concerns they may have before they transition into their new positions. Orientation is important because it signifies the beginning of the relationship between employee and employer. Additional Comments: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct additional unannounced visits. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/3/2024 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 12/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a third temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. E. Wynne, Legal Designee; C. Simmons and S. Simmons, Executive Directors, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You provided a building inspection dated 11/22/24. Some information is missing on the inspection form. You indicated you would contact the building inspector to have the form completed in its entirety. You have not provided a copy of an approved fire inspection. The sanitation inspection you provided indicated lead in water testing completed on 11/6/24; however, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website indicates enrollment was completed on 11/12/24 and there are 0 samples and 0 results. We reviewed the website together and you indicated you would contact environmental health to seek clarification about the date provided. Enrollment was started for lead based paint and asbestos testing; however, results have not been completed. I must receive those results to process a star rated license. If your facility does not provide approved inspections and asbestos and lead testing results before the end of the 6-month temporary time period, some type of administrative action may be issued. The children were eating cereal with milk from a bowl. After breakfast, hand washing routines were completed and the children engaged in morning group activities. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included pizza rolls, tater tots, fruit cocktail and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 201 A room was occupied by more children than the space allowed at 25-sq. ft. of floor space per child. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet. GS 110-91(6); .1401(f) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A posted activity plan in space 1 was dated November 25-27, 2024. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 501 Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(a) 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3 (designated for children 0-1 year of age). 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames and keep away from children, requiring locked storage. .2820(b) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. .0604(q) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Visual checks for the sleeping infant observed during today's visit were not documented. .0606(g) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. .1101(a) * Compliance: The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 84%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/17/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Lead Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: Capacity – Child care requirements do not prohibit you from shifting children to different classrooms during the day to meet staff/child ratios; however, children thrive in a stable environment and function best when they are in the same classroom daily with the same teachers and group of friends. This helps you to verify that staff/child ratios, group size and space capacity are met throughout the day. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet and six (6) children at 30 square feet. You are currently choosing to serve 7 children at 25 square feet. You immediately moved the two (2) infants to space 3 during today’s visit. You must know your capacities. The staff/child ratio chart posted in each space indicates the maximum number of children allowed. Plastic Bags – Plastic bags have been recognized for many years as a suffocation hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received average annual reports of twenty-five deaths per year to children due to suffocation from plastic bags. In child care facilities, plastic bags must be made inaccessible to children less than three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. This violation was documented on 8/13/24 and today. On 8/20/24 you indicated in the compliance letter submitted, plastic bags would be stored in the kitchen in a locked cabinet and provided to staff when needed. You must implement a strategy that is effective and help your facility to meet and maintain compliance. If the teachers are going to use the plastic zip lock bags, then these bags must be stored out of reach of the children, which is defined as five feet or higher from the finished floor. Completing safety checks will help to ensure this item is meeting compliance. Electrical Outlets - Approximately 2,400 children are injured annually by inserting objects into the slots of electrical outlets. For this reason, all electrical outlets, including those on power strips, not in use that are in areas accessible to children must be protected with a safety plug or a tamper-resistant electrical outlet. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3. You did not indicate why. Taping a reminder on the wall over each socket and power stick can serve as a reminder to add the safety cover when not in use or have the wall plate on the socket replaced with a tamper resistant electrical outlet. Activity Plans – Activity Plans – Preschool lesson plans lay the groundwork for a child's initial entry into the world of learning. They act as roadmaps, guiding young learners through the various stages of early academic growth. You have a posted activity plan in space 1 dated November 25-27. You must complete a current weekly activity plan to include developmentally appropriate activities for enrolled children. Using planning time to create activity plans 2-3 weeks in advance allows staff to observe and create meaningful experiences for children and time to obtain the needed materials to facilitate learning each week. Storage of Hazardous Items – Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. You indicated that it was your fault because you placed it on the desk. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames; keep away from children, requiring locked storage. Prevention is the key to prevent poisonings by making sure all items required to be kept in locked storage are indeed locked up. Meals and Snack – Planning menus in advance helps to ensure that food will be on hand. Posting menus in a prominent area and distributing them to parents/guardians helps to inform parents/ guardians about proper nutrition. Parents/guardians need to be informed about food served in the facility to know how to complement it with the food they serve at home. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. The cook indicated because the children pick at the fruit, she did not serve it. If a child has difficulty with any food served at the facility, proper planning should occur to ensure children are served all components. Infant Sleep Practices – Safe sleep practices help reduce the risk of sudden infant deaths (SIDs). Completing and documenting visual checks every 15 minutes is one important measure on keeping infants safe. Visual checks for the sleeping infant were not completed. You indicated the safe sleep check form was next door in space 4. Although the cause of many sudden infant deaths may not be known, researchers believe that some infants develop in a manner that makes it challenging for them to be aroused or to breathe when they experience a life-threatening challenge during sleep. This is why child care rules require that an ITS-SIDS Policy be developed and followed at all times. Staff Files (Medical Report) - Caregivers/teachers need to be physically and emotionally healthy to perform the tasks of providing care to children. A medical report should be on file prior to hire. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. You contacted the owner to bring the medical report from the 2nd location, it did not arrive prior to the close of today’s visit. Orientation- Employee orientation is the process of introducing newly hired employees to their new workplace. It provides the basic organizational information employees need to feel prepared for their new role within the facility. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. Effective employee orientation makes employees aware of company policies and expectations, handles essential paperwork, and answers any questions or concerns they may have before they transition into their new positions. Orientation is important because it signifies the beginning of the relationship between employee and employer. Additional Comments: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct additional unannounced visits. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. 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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/3/2024 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 12/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a third temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. E. Wynne, Legal Designee; C. Simmons and S. Simmons, Executive Directors, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You provided a building inspection dated 11/22/24. Some information is missing on the inspection form. You indicated you would contact the building inspector to have the form completed in its entirety. You have not provided a copy of an approved fire inspection. The sanitation inspection you provided indicated lead in water testing completed on 11/6/24; however, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website indicates enrollment was completed on 11/12/24 and there are 0 samples and 0 results. We reviewed the website together and you indicated you would contact environmental health to seek clarification about the date provided. Enrollment was started for lead based paint and asbestos testing; however, results have not been completed. I must receive those results to process a star rated license. If your facility does not provide approved inspections and asbestos and lead testing results before the end of the 6-month temporary time period, some type of administrative action may be issued. The children were eating cereal with milk from a bowl. After breakfast, hand washing routines were completed and the children engaged in morning group activities. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included pizza rolls, tater tots, fruit cocktail and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 201 A room was occupied by more children than the space allowed at 25-sq. ft. of floor space per child. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet. GS 110-91(6); .1401(f) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A posted activity plan in space 1 was dated November 25-27, 2024. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 501 Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(a) 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3 (designated for children 0-1 year of age). 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames and keep away from children, requiring locked storage. .2820(b) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. .0604(q) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Visual checks for the sleeping infant observed during today's visit were not documented. .0606(g) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. .1101(a) * Compliance: The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 84%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/17/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Lead Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: Capacity – Child care requirements do not prohibit you from shifting children to different classrooms during the day to meet staff/child ratios; however, children thrive in a stable environment and function best when they are in the same classroom daily with the same teachers and group of friends. This helps you to verify that staff/child ratios, group size and space capacity are met throughout the day. Eight (8) children ages 0–1-year-old were grouped together in space 4. The overall capacity allowed in that space is seven (7) children at 25 square feet and six (6) children at 30 square feet. You are currently choosing to serve 7 children at 25 square feet. You immediately moved the two (2) infants to space 3 during today’s visit. You must know your capacities. The staff/child ratio chart posted in each space indicates the maximum number of children allowed. Plastic Bags – Plastic bags have been recognized for many years as a suffocation hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received average annual reports of twenty-five deaths per year to children due to suffocation from plastic bags. In child care facilities, plastic bags must be made inaccessible to children less than three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic zip lock bags used to store art supplies were stored in unlocked drawers below 5 ft. This violation was documented on 8/13/24 and today. On 8/20/24 you indicated in the compliance letter submitted, plastic bags would be stored in the kitchen in a locked cabinet and provided to staff when needed. You must implement a strategy that is effective and help your facility to meet and maintain compliance. If the teachers are going to use the plastic zip lock bags, then these bags must be stored out of reach of the children, which is defined as five feet or higher from the finished floor. Completing safety checks will help to ensure this item is meeting compliance. Electrical Outlets - Approximately 2,400 children are injured annually by inserting objects into the slots of electrical outlets. For this reason, all electrical outlets, including those on power strips, not in use that are in areas accessible to children must be protected with a safety plug or a tamper-resistant electrical outlet. An open electrical outlet was observed in space 3. You did not indicate why. Taping a reminder on the wall over each socket and power stick can serve as a reminder to add the safety cover when not in use or have the wall plate on the socket replaced with a tamper resistant electrical outlet. Activity Plans – Activity Plans – Preschool lesson plans lay the groundwork for a child's initial entry into the world of learning. They act as roadmaps, guiding young learners through the various stages of early academic growth. You have a posted activity plan in space 1 dated November 25-27. You must complete a current weekly activity plan to include developmentally appropriate activities for enrolled children. Using planning time to create activity plans 2-3 weeks in advance allows staff to observe and create meaningful experiences for children and time to obtain the needed materials to facilitate learning each week. Storage of Hazardous Items – Intentional planning of the environment ensures a safe environment has been created which prevents and reduces injuries to young children. A Bic Wite-Out Correction pen was stored on a desk in Space 1. You indicated that it was your fault because you placed it on the desk. The label on the pen contained a keep away from fire and flames; keep away from children, requiring locked storage. Prevention is the key to prevent poisonings by making sure all items required to be kept in locked storage are indeed locked up. Meals and Snack – Planning menus in advance helps to ensure that food will be on hand. Posting menus in a prominent area and distributing them to parents/guardians helps to inform parents/ guardians about proper nutrition. Parents/guardians need to be informed about food served in the facility to know how to complement it with the food they serve at home. The posted menu indicated cereal, fruit cocktail and milk were to be served for breakfast; however, only cereal and milk were served. Because the meal was missing a component, it did not meet the requirements of a meal being served. The cook indicated because the children pick at the fruit, she did not serve it. If a child has difficulty with any food served at the facility, proper planning should occur to ensure children are served all components. Infant Sleep Practices – Safe sleep practices help reduce the risk of sudden infant deaths (SIDs). Completing and documenting visual checks every 15 minutes is one important measure on keeping infants safe. Visual checks for the sleeping infant were not completed. You indicated the safe sleep check form was next door in space 4. Although the cause of many sudden infant deaths may not be known, researchers believe that some infants develop in a manner that makes it challenging for them to be aroused or to breathe when they experience a life-threatening challenge during sleep. This is why child care rules require that an ITS-SIDS Policy be developed and followed at all times. Staff Files (Medical Report) - Caregivers/teachers need to be physically and emotionally healthy to perform the tasks of providing care to children. A medical report should be on file prior to hire. The individual hired on 1/21/21 did not have a medical report on file. You contacted the owner to bring the medical report from the 2nd location, it did not arrive prior to the close of today’s visit. Orientation- Employee orientation is the process of introducing newly hired employees to their new workplace. It provides the basic organizational information employees need to feel prepared for their new role within the facility. One employee hired on 1/21/21 did not have documentation of 16 hours of orientation on file. Effective employee orientation makes employees aware of company policies and expectations, handles essential paperwork, and answers any questions or concerns they may have before they transition into their new positions. Orientation is important because it signifies the beginning of the relationship between employee and employer. Additional Comments: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct additional unannounced visits. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. 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 .0902 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/17/2024 Number Present: 20 Completed Date: 10/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a second temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. This facility is owned by and operated by S. Simmons. E. Wynne, Legal Designee and S. Simmons, Executive Director, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You have not provided a building or fire inspection. Both must be provided before 12/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 7/19/24. I checked the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website and the Lead in water, lead based paint and asbestos testing have not been started. I must receive those results by 12/1/24. The website is https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. The children were engaged in morning group activities. Colors and numbers were reviewed. The children reviewed words that begin with the letter Cc. The teacher provided cues to assist the children as they created a list of Cc words. Children’s artwork was displayed throughout each space at the children’s eye level. The teachers sat on the floor with the children as they engaged in indoor free play, rotating as the children moved from learning center to learning center. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, corn, peaches, and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. COMPLIANCE HISTORY - The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 91%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 540 An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child's parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted. (omit posting for centers located in a residence) An individual written feeding plan was not available for one child less than 15 months of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0902(a) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two (2) aerosol cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. .2820(b) 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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in first aid within 90 days of employment. .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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in CPR training within 90 days of employment. .1102(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the notification of the discussion of operational policies on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1207 Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center. One (1) out of the five (5) children files reviewed did not include notification of the discussion of the parent participation plan on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(a) 1314 Emergency information did not name child's health care professional. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Three (3) out of five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional or the child's hospital preference and telephone number. The child's application for enrollment for one (1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the application date nor the enrollment date. .0801(a)(1-7) 1832 Application did not include health care needs or concerns, symptoms of and the type of response required for the health care needs or concerns. The health care needs section of the child's application was not completed for two(2) out of the five (5) children's files reviewed. .0801 (a)(5) 1851 The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. One(1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include parent notification of the facilities smoking and tobacco restriction. .0604(j) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include a parent acknowledgement of receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Bay and Abusive Head Trauma Policy. .0608(b)(1-6) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making the content of the kitchen accessible to the children. This is a violation of Sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2815 WATER SUPPLY - (e) Hot water used for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and laundry shall be provided at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the point of use. Water in areas accessible to children shall be tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water that exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit is a burn hazard and shall not be provided in areas accessible to children. For handwash lavatories used exclusively by school-age children, the requirement to provide water tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit shall not apply. In the event of the loss of hot water at the child care center, the operator shall immediately notify the local health department that serves the county in which the child care center is located. * 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 10/31/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: First Aid and CPR Training for Staff–To ensure the health and safety of children in a child care setting, someone who is qualified to respond to life threatening emergencies must be in attendance at all times. First aid skills are the most likely tools caregivers will need. Minor injuries are common. For emergency situations that require attention from a health professional, first aid procedures can be used to control the situation until a health professional can provide definitive care. Pediatric first aid training that includes CPR is especially important because the caregiver responsible for the health and safety of the children in care. The CPR and First Aid certification for D. Davy has not been completed since the change of ownership occurred on 7/1/24 (90 days). You indicated a training is scheduled this month and Ms. Davy will complete it then. The knowledge and ability to perform emergency measures on another person whose breathing or heart activity has stopped is critical to potentially saving a life. Documentation of the successful completion of pediatric first aid and demonstration of pediatric CPR skills in the facility must be available for review and is required before the expiration date listed on your card every two years. Storage of Hazardous Items - There are over two million human poison exposures reported to poison centers every year. Children under six years of age account for over half of those potential poisonings. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making all of its content accessible to the children. All children must be cared for in safe environments and protected from the risk of potentially dangerous products. Two (2) cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. The key was in the lock; therefore, rendering access to the bathroom. You indicated you had just left the bathroom and came to answer the door to let me in. All aerosol cans are highly flammable and present a hazard because of the compressed gas used as a propellant. If punctured, the contents may be released so forcefully that injuries can result. All aerosols must be kept in locked storage. Locked storage rooms and cabinets include those which are unlocked with a combination, electronic or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices must be kept out of the reach of a child and must not be stored in the lock. Children's Records - Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important because it demonstrates compliance with the child care rules and ensures the health and safety of each child. Children's records are required to be completed and maintained for each child who attends your child care (full-time, part-time, or drop-in). The first day a child attends there must be documentation of the receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy, parent participation plan, operational policies and a signed notification of smoking and tobacco restrictions. One (1) out of the five (5) children files did not have documentation of those items. You indicated the child’s parent came in and due to staffing and attending to the needs of the facility you forgot to have the parent sign the acknowledgements. Children’s files are individualized and include information unique to each child enrolled. Have the parent verify documentation of receipt for the child immediately and submit documentation of correction within two (2) weeks of today’s visit. Child’s Application for Enrollment - Emergency information is the key to obtaining needed care in emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, child care providers must know about a child’s special health care needs, so they can offer protection for that child. This requires you to obtain the health and safety needs of individual children prior to enrollment. I observed the following on the child’s application for enrollment: One (1) out of five (5) children’s files was missing -the application date, enrollment date, name of the health care professional and telephone numbers for the hospital preference and health care professional were missing. The health care needs section of the enrollment application for two (2) out of the five (5) was incomplete. You indicated you were going to complete an audit of your files. During the enrollment process it is imperative that you ensure all required forms are completed and reviewed for accuracy. Infant Needs: Growth and development during infancy require that nourishing, wholesome, and developmentally appropriate food be provided along with safe approaches to feeding. Because individual needs must be accommodated and improper practices can have dire consequences for the child’s health and safety, written feeding schedule must be on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or must be updated regularly to reflect changes in the child's needs. In space #4, one (1) out of the two (2) children under 15 months of age did not have a feeding schedule on file. One infant enrolled had a feeding schedule on file that did not reflect type of formula and indicated “cereal in bottle as needed.” The infant was served a bottle of formula mixed with cereal. You indicated the parent brings the bottles prepared with the cereal added. I did not observe documentation from the child’s medical professional indicating cereal should be mixed with formula in the bottle and served to the infant. Formula mixed with cereal, fruit juice, or any other foods should not be served unless the child’s parent provides written documentation that the child has a medical reason for this type of feeding. If parents are ready to add cereal to the feeding plan, to prevent choking, cereal should be added to a bowl and spoon fed to the child. Check in with parents regularly to ensure that feeding schedules are up to date. Plastic: All areas used by children should be kept free of items that are potentially hazardous to children. A daily checklist including checking the environment for hazardous items, such as plastic bags or toys that are small enough to be swallowed, could help ensure that the environment is safe and healthy. To make plastic bags inaccessible to children less than three years old, store them above five feet from the finished floor or place in locked storage. In space #2, a plastic grocery store bag filled with art materials was located in an unlocked file cabinet below five feet. When this was brought to your attention, the plastic was removed. Check the learning environment throughout the day to ensure that plastic is out of reach of children. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct an additional temporary time period visit. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant, 252-820-5976, Lakisha.Skinner@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 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/17/2024 Number Present: 20 Completed Date: 10/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a second temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. This facility is owned by and operated by S. Simmons. E. Wynne, Legal Designee and S. Simmons, Executive Director, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You have not provided a building or fire inspection. Both must be provided before 12/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 7/19/24. I checked the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website and the Lead in water, lead based paint and asbestos testing have not been started. I must receive those results by 12/1/24. The website is https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. The children were engaged in morning group activities. Colors and numbers were reviewed. The children reviewed words that begin with the letter Cc. The teacher provided cues to assist the children as they created a list of Cc words. Children’s artwork was displayed throughout each space at the children’s eye level. The teachers sat on the floor with the children as they engaged in indoor free play, rotating as the children moved from learning center to learning center. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, corn, peaches, and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. COMPLIANCE HISTORY - The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 91%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 540 An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child's parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted. (omit posting for centers located in a residence) An individual written feeding plan was not available for one child less than 15 months of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0902(a) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two (2) aerosol cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. .2820(b) 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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in first aid within 90 days of employment. .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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in CPR training within 90 days of employment. .1102(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the notification of the discussion of operational policies on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1207 Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center. One (1) out of the five (5) children files reviewed did not include notification of the discussion of the parent participation plan on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(a) 1314 Emergency information did not name child's health care professional. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Three (3) out of five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional or the child's hospital preference and telephone number. The child's application for enrollment for one (1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the application date nor the enrollment date. .0801(a)(1-7) 1832 Application did not include health care needs or concerns, symptoms of and the type of response required for the health care needs or concerns. The health care needs section of the child's application was not completed for two(2) out of the five (5) children's files reviewed. .0801 (a)(5) 1851 The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. One(1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include parent notification of the facilities smoking and tobacco restriction. .0604(j) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include a parent acknowledgement of receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Bay and Abusive Head Trauma Policy. .0608(b)(1-6) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making the content of the kitchen accessible to the children. This is a violation of Sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2815 WATER SUPPLY - (e) Hot water used for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and laundry shall be provided at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the point of use. Water in areas accessible to children shall be tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water that exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit is a burn hazard and shall not be provided in areas accessible to children. For handwash lavatories used exclusively by school-age children, the requirement to provide water tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit shall not apply. In the event of the loss of hot water at the child care center, the operator shall immediately notify the local health department that serves the county in which the child care center is located. * 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 10/31/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: First Aid and CPR Training for Staff–To ensure the health and safety of children in a child care setting, someone who is qualified to respond to life threatening emergencies must be in attendance at all times. First aid skills are the most likely tools caregivers will need. Minor injuries are common. For emergency situations that require attention from a health professional, first aid procedures can be used to control the situation until a health professional can provide definitive care. Pediatric first aid training that includes CPR is especially important because the caregiver responsible for the health and safety of the children in care. The CPR and First Aid certification for D. Davy has not been completed since the change of ownership occurred on 7/1/24 (90 days). You indicated a training is scheduled this month and Ms. Davy will complete it then. The knowledge and ability to perform emergency measures on another person whose breathing or heart activity has stopped is critical to potentially saving a life. Documentation of the successful completion of pediatric first aid and demonstration of pediatric CPR skills in the facility must be available for review and is required before the expiration date listed on your card every two years. Storage of Hazardous Items - There are over two million human poison exposures reported to poison centers every year. Children under six years of age account for over half of those potential poisonings. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making all of its content accessible to the children. All children must be cared for in safe environments and protected from the risk of potentially dangerous products. Two (2) cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. The key was in the lock; therefore, rendering access to the bathroom. You indicated you had just left the bathroom and came to answer the door to let me in. All aerosol cans are highly flammable and present a hazard because of the compressed gas used as a propellant. If punctured, the contents may be released so forcefully that injuries can result. All aerosols must be kept in locked storage. Locked storage rooms and cabinets include those which are unlocked with a combination, electronic or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices must be kept out of the reach of a child and must not be stored in the lock. Children's Records - Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important because it demonstrates compliance with the child care rules and ensures the health and safety of each child. Children's records are required to be completed and maintained for each child who attends your child care (full-time, part-time, or drop-in). The first day a child attends there must be documentation of the receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy, parent participation plan, operational policies and a signed notification of smoking and tobacco restrictions. One (1) out of the five (5) children files did not have documentation of those items. You indicated the child’s parent came in and due to staffing and attending to the needs of the facility you forgot to have the parent sign the acknowledgements. Children’s files are individualized and include information unique to each child enrolled. Have the parent verify documentation of receipt for the child immediately and submit documentation of correction within two (2) weeks of today’s visit. Child’s Application for Enrollment - Emergency information is the key to obtaining needed care in emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, child care providers must know about a child’s special health care needs, so they can offer protection for that child. This requires you to obtain the health and safety needs of individual children prior to enrollment. I observed the following on the child’s application for enrollment: One (1) out of five (5) children’s files was missing -the application date, enrollment date, name of the health care professional and telephone numbers for the hospital preference and health care professional were missing. The health care needs section of the enrollment application for two (2) out of the five (5) was incomplete. You indicated you were going to complete an audit of your files. During the enrollment process it is imperative that you ensure all required forms are completed and reviewed for accuracy. Infant Needs: Growth and development during infancy require that nourishing, wholesome, and developmentally appropriate food be provided along with safe approaches to feeding. Because individual needs must be accommodated and improper practices can have dire consequences for the child’s health and safety, written feeding schedule must be on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or must be updated regularly to reflect changes in the child's needs. In space #4, one (1) out of the two (2) children under 15 months of age did not have a feeding schedule on file. One infant enrolled had a feeding schedule on file that did not reflect type of formula and indicated “cereal in bottle as needed.” The infant was served a bottle of formula mixed with cereal. You indicated the parent brings the bottles prepared with the cereal added. I did not observe documentation from the child’s medical professional indicating cereal should be mixed with formula in the bottle and served to the infant. Formula mixed with cereal, fruit juice, or any other foods should not be served unless the child’s parent provides written documentation that the child has a medical reason for this type of feeding. If parents are ready to add cereal to the feeding plan, to prevent choking, cereal should be added to a bowl and spoon fed to the child. Check in with parents regularly to ensure that feeding schedules are up to date. Plastic: All areas used by children should be kept free of items that are potentially hazardous to children. A daily checklist including checking the environment for hazardous items, such as plastic bags or toys that are small enough to be swallowed, could help ensure that the environment is safe and healthy. To make plastic bags inaccessible to children less than three years old, store them above five feet from the finished floor or place in locked storage. In space #2, a plastic grocery store bag filled with art materials was located in an unlocked file cabinet below five feet. When this was brought to your attention, the plastic was removed. Check the learning environment throughout the day to ensure that plastic is out of reach of children. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct an additional temporary time period visit. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant, 252-820-5976, Lakisha.Skinner@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 .0515 · Violation

Name of Operation: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/17/2024 Number Present: 20 Completed Date: 10/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a second temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. This facility is owned by and operated by S. Simmons. E. Wynne, Legal Designee and S. Simmons, Executive Director, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You have not provided a building or fire inspection. Both must be provided before 12/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 7/19/24. I checked the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website and the Lead in water, lead based paint and asbestos testing have not been started. I must receive those results by 12/1/24. The website is https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. The children were engaged in morning group activities. Colors and numbers were reviewed. The children reviewed words that begin with the letter Cc. The teacher provided cues to assist the children as they created a list of Cc words. Children’s artwork was displayed throughout each space at the children’s eye level. The teachers sat on the floor with the children as they engaged in indoor free play, rotating as the children moved from learning center to learning center. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, corn, peaches, and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. COMPLIANCE HISTORY - The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 91%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 540 An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child's parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted. (omit posting for centers located in a residence) An individual written feeding plan was not available for one child less than 15 months of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0902(a) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two (2) aerosol cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. .2820(b) 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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in first aid within 90 days of employment. .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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in CPR training within 90 days of employment. .1102(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the notification of the discussion of operational policies on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1207 Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center. One (1) out of the five (5) children files reviewed did not include notification of the discussion of the parent participation plan on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(a) 1314 Emergency information did not name child's health care professional. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Three (3) out of five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional or the child's hospital preference and telephone number. The child's application for enrollment for one (1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the application date nor the enrollment date. .0801(a)(1-7) 1832 Application did not include health care needs or concerns, symptoms of and the type of response required for the health care needs or concerns. The health care needs section of the child's application was not completed for two(2) out of the five (5) children's files reviewed. .0801 (a)(5) 1851 The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. One(1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include parent notification of the facilities smoking and tobacco restriction. .0604(j) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include a parent acknowledgement of receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Bay and Abusive Head Trauma Policy. .0608(b)(1-6) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making the content of the kitchen accessible to the children. This is a violation of Sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2815 WATER SUPPLY - (e) Hot water used for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and laundry shall be provided at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the point of use. Water in areas accessible to children shall be tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water that exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit is a burn hazard and shall not be provided in areas accessible to children. For handwash lavatories used exclusively by school-age children, the requirement to provide water tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit shall not apply. In the event of the loss of hot water at the child care center, the operator shall immediately notify the local health department that serves the county in which the child care center is located. * 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 10/31/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: First Aid and CPR Training for Staff–To ensure the health and safety of children in a child care setting, someone who is qualified to respond to life threatening emergencies must be in attendance at all times. First aid skills are the most likely tools caregivers will need. Minor injuries are common. For emergency situations that require attention from a health professional, first aid procedures can be used to control the situation until a health professional can provide definitive care. Pediatric first aid training that includes CPR is especially important because the caregiver responsible for the health and safety of the children in care. The CPR and First Aid certification for D. Davy has not been completed since the change of ownership occurred on 7/1/24 (90 days). You indicated a training is scheduled this month and Ms. Davy will complete it then. The knowledge and ability to perform emergency measures on another person whose breathing or heart activity has stopped is critical to potentially saving a life. Documentation of the successful completion of pediatric first aid and demonstration of pediatric CPR skills in the facility must be available for review and is required before the expiration date listed on your card every two years. Storage of Hazardous Items - There are over two million human poison exposures reported to poison centers every year. Children under six years of age account for over half of those potential poisonings. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making all of its content accessible to the children. All children must be cared for in safe environments and protected from the risk of potentially dangerous products. Two (2) cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. The key was in the lock; therefore, rendering access to the bathroom. You indicated you had just left the bathroom and came to answer the door to let me in. All aerosol cans are highly flammable and present a hazard because of the compressed gas used as a propellant. If punctured, the contents may be released so forcefully that injuries can result. All aerosols must be kept in locked storage. Locked storage rooms and cabinets include those which are unlocked with a combination, electronic or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices must be kept out of the reach of a child and must not be stored in the lock. Children's Records - Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important because it demonstrates compliance with the child care rules and ensures the health and safety of each child. Children's records are required to be completed and maintained for each child who attends your child care (full-time, part-time, or drop-in). The first day a child attends there must be documentation of the receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy, parent participation plan, operational policies and a signed notification of smoking and tobacco restrictions. One (1) out of the five (5) children files did not have documentation of those items. You indicated the child’s parent came in and due to staffing and attending to the needs of the facility you forgot to have the parent sign the acknowledgements. Children’s files are individualized and include information unique to each child enrolled. Have the parent verify documentation of receipt for the child immediately and submit documentation of correction within two (2) weeks of today’s visit. Child’s Application for Enrollment - Emergency information is the key to obtaining needed care in emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, child care providers must know about a child’s special health care needs, so they can offer protection for that child. This requires you to obtain the health and safety needs of individual children prior to enrollment. I observed the following on the child’s application for enrollment: One (1) out of five (5) children’s files was missing -the application date, enrollment date, name of the health care professional and telephone numbers for the hospital preference and health care professional were missing. The health care needs section of the enrollment application for two (2) out of the five (5) was incomplete. You indicated you were going to complete an audit of your files. During the enrollment process it is imperative that you ensure all required forms are completed and reviewed for accuracy. Infant Needs: Growth and development during infancy require that nourishing, wholesome, and developmentally appropriate food be provided along with safe approaches to feeding. Because individual needs must be accommodated and improper practices can have dire consequences for the child’s health and safety, written feeding schedule must be on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or must be updated regularly to reflect changes in the child's needs. In space #4, one (1) out of the two (2) children under 15 months of age did not have a feeding schedule on file. One infant enrolled had a feeding schedule on file that did not reflect type of formula and indicated “cereal in bottle as needed.” The infant was served a bottle of formula mixed with cereal. You indicated the parent brings the bottles prepared with the cereal added. I did not observe documentation from the child’s medical professional indicating cereal should be mixed with formula in the bottle and served to the infant. Formula mixed with cereal, fruit juice, or any other foods should not be served unless the child’s parent provides written documentation that the child has a medical reason for this type of feeding. If parents are ready to add cereal to the feeding plan, to prevent choking, cereal should be added to a bowl and spoon fed to the child. Check in with parents regularly to ensure that feeding schedules are up to date. Plastic: All areas used by children should be kept free of items that are potentially hazardous to children. A daily checklist including checking the environment for hazardous items, such as plastic bags or toys that are small enough to be swallowed, could help ensure that the environment is safe and healthy. To make plastic bags inaccessible to children less than three years old, store them above five feet from the finished floor or place in locked storage. In space #2, a plastic grocery store bag filled with art materials was located in an unlocked file cabinet below five feet. When this was brought to your attention, the plastic was removed. Check the learning environment throughout the day to ensure that plastic is out of reach of children. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct an additional temporary time period visit. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant, 252-820-5976, Lakisha.Skinner@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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/17/2024 Number Present: 20 Completed Date: 10/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a second temporary time period visit. This program currently operates with a Temporary License issued July 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025. This facility is owned by and operated by S. Simmons. E. Wynne, Legal Designee and S. Simmons, Executive Director, assisted with the visit. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-school LLC. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, the LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website and determined no changes were required. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. You have not provided a building or fire inspection. Both must be provided before 12/1/24. The sanitation inspection was completed on 7/19/24. I checked the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website and the Lead in water, lead based paint and asbestos testing have not been started. I must receive those results by 12/1/24. The website is https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. The children were engaged in morning group activities. Colors and numbers were reviewed. The children reviewed words that begin with the letter Cc. The teacher provided cues to assist the children as they created a list of Cc words. Children’s artwork was displayed throughout each space at the children’s eye level. The teachers sat on the floor with the children as they engaged in indoor free play, rotating as the children moved from learning center to learning center. The fenced outdoor space located at the side of the facility includes portable play equipment as well as a shaded play space. Staff, children, and program were monitored. Lunch included chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, corn, peaches, and milk. Teachers sat with and engaged in conversation with the children as they ate lunch. After lunch the children washed hands and transitioned to rest time. Linen covered cots were provided to the children as soft music played in the background. COMPLIANCE HISTORY - The compliance history for this facility prior to today’s visit is 91%. The violations documented today may affect the facility’s compliance history score. If a facility’s compliance history falls below 75% over an eighteen-month time frame, some type of administrative action may be issued. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 540 An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child's parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted. (omit posting for centers located in a residence) An individual written feeding plan was not available for one child less than 15 months of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0902(a) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two (2) aerosol cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. .2820(b) 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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in first aid within 90 days of employment. .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. One (1) individual did not complete certification in CPR training within 90 days of employment. .1102(d) 1203 Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the notification of the discussion of operational policies on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) 1207 Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center. One (1) out of the five (5) children files reviewed did not include notification of the discussion of the parent participation plan on or before the child's first day. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(a) 1314 Emergency information did not name child's health care professional. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Three (3) out of five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the name and telephone number of the child's health care professional or the child's hospital preference and telephone number. The child's application for enrollment for one (1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include the application date nor the enrollment date. .0801(a)(1-7) 1832 Application did not include health care needs or concerns, symptoms of and the type of response required for the health care needs or concerns. The health care needs section of the child's application was not completed for two(2) out of the five (5) children's files reviewed. .0801 (a)(5) 1851 The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. One(1) out of the five (5) children's records reviewed did not include parent notification of the facilities smoking and tobacco restriction. .0604(j) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. One (1) out of five (5) children's files reviewed did not include a parent acknowledgement of receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Bay and Abusive Head Trauma Policy. .0608(b)(1-6) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making the content of the kitchen accessible to the children. This is a violation of Sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2815 WATER SUPPLY - (e) Hot water used for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and laundry shall be provided at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the point of use. Water in areas accessible to children shall be tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water that exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit is a burn hazard and shall not be provided in areas accessible to children. For handwash lavatories used exclusively by school-age children, the requirement to provide water tempered between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit shall not apply. In the event of the loss of hot water at the child care center, the operator shall immediately notify the local health department that serves the county in which the child care center is located. * 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 10/31/24, 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 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: Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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: First Aid and CPR Training for Staff–To ensure the health and safety of children in a child care setting, someone who is qualified to respond to life threatening emergencies must be in attendance at all times. First aid skills are the most likely tools caregivers will need. Minor injuries are common. For emergency situations that require attention from a health professional, first aid procedures can be used to control the situation until a health professional can provide definitive care. Pediatric first aid training that includes CPR is especially important because the caregiver responsible for the health and safety of the children in care. The CPR and First Aid certification for D. Davy has not been completed since the change of ownership occurred on 7/1/24 (90 days). You indicated a training is scheduled this month and Ms. Davy will complete it then. The knowledge and ability to perform emergency measures on another person whose breathing or heart activity has stopped is critical to potentially saving a life. Documentation of the successful completion of pediatric first aid and demonstration of pediatric CPR skills in the facility must be available for review and is required before the expiration date listed on your card every two years. Storage of Hazardous Items - There are over two million human poison exposures reported to poison centers every year. Children under six years of age account for over half of those potential poisonings. The unoccupied kitchen was unlocked making all of its content accessible to the children. All children must be cared for in safe environments and protected from the risk of potentially dangerous products. Two (2) cans of Febreze were stored in the unlocked bathroom located in the hallway of the facility. The key was in the lock; therefore, rendering access to the bathroom. You indicated you had just left the bathroom and came to answer the door to let me in. All aerosol cans are highly flammable and present a hazard because of the compressed gas used as a propellant. If punctured, the contents may be released so forcefully that injuries can result. All aerosols must be kept in locked storage. Locked storage rooms and cabinets include those which are unlocked with a combination, electronic or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices must be kept out of the reach of a child and must not be stored in the lock. Children's Records - Maintaining accurate documentation at the child care center is important because it demonstrates compliance with the child care rules and ensures the health and safety of each child. Children's records are required to be completed and maintained for each child who attends your child care (full-time, part-time, or drop-in). The first day a child attends there must be documentation of the receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy, parent participation plan, operational policies and a signed notification of smoking and tobacco restrictions. One (1) out of the five (5) children files did not have documentation of those items. You indicated the child’s parent came in and due to staffing and attending to the needs of the facility you forgot to have the parent sign the acknowledgements. Children’s files are individualized and include information unique to each child enrolled. Have the parent verify documentation of receipt for the child immediately and submit documentation of correction within two (2) weeks of today’s visit. Child’s Application for Enrollment - Emergency information is the key to obtaining needed care in emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, child care providers must know about a child’s special health care needs, so they can offer protection for that child. This requires you to obtain the health and safety needs of individual children prior to enrollment. I observed the following on the child’s application for enrollment: One (1) out of five (5) children’s files was missing -the application date, enrollment date, name of the health care professional and telephone numbers for the hospital preference and health care professional were missing. The health care needs section of the enrollment application for two (2) out of the five (5) was incomplete. You indicated you were going to complete an audit of your files. During the enrollment process it is imperative that you ensure all required forms are completed and reviewed for accuracy. Infant Needs: Growth and development during infancy require that nourishing, wholesome, and developmentally appropriate food be provided along with safe approaches to feeding. Because individual needs must be accommodated and improper practices can have dire consequences for the child’s health and safety, written feeding schedule must be on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or must be updated regularly to reflect changes in the child's needs. In space #4, one (1) out of the two (2) children under 15 months of age did not have a feeding schedule on file. One infant enrolled had a feeding schedule on file that did not reflect type of formula and indicated “cereal in bottle as needed.” The infant was served a bottle of formula mixed with cereal. You indicated the parent brings the bottles prepared with the cereal added. I did not observe documentation from the child’s medical professional indicating cereal should be mixed with formula in the bottle and served to the infant. Formula mixed with cereal, fruit juice, or any other foods should not be served unless the child’s parent provides written documentation that the child has a medical reason for this type of feeding. If parents are ready to add cereal to the feeding plan, to prevent choking, cereal should be added to a bowl and spoon fed to the child. Check in with parents regularly to ensure that feeding schedules are up to date. Plastic: All areas used by children should be kept free of items that are potentially hazardous to children. A daily checklist including checking the environment for hazardous items, such as plastic bags or toys that are small enough to be swallowed, could help ensure that the environment is safe and healthy. To make plastic bags inaccessible to children less than three years old, store them above five feet from the finished floor or place in locked storage. In space #2, a plastic grocery store bag filled with art materials was located in an unlocked file cabinet below five feet. When this was brought to your attention, the plastic was removed. Check the learning environment throughout the day to ensure that plastic is out of reach of children. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 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. UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct an additional temporary time period visit. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant, 252-820-5976, Lakisha.Skinner@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: Discovery Of Excellence Childcare I Facility ID: 25000632 Consultant: LAKISHA SKINNER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/13/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 8/13/2024 Age: From 0 To 3 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today's visit was to monitor your program for compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit (TTP) since completing the change of ownership for the facility. E. Wynne, Legal Designee, and S. Shope, Records Administrator, assisted me with the visit. This facility was issued a temporary license on July 1, 2024 caring for no more than 35 children, ages 0 -12 years of age on first and second shift. You are restricted to serve children under 2 ½ years of age in rooms with direct exits only. You are meeting enhanced ratios. This facility is owned by a limited liability corporation: Discovery of Excellence Childcare and After-School. Per information reflected in the NC Secretary of State, your LLC is current and active. We also reviewed your facility contact information listed on the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) website. A copy of the Legal Designee form identifying E. Wynne, was provided to me during the visit. Contact me anytime you need to make any changes to your contact information, e.g., phone numbers, mailing address. A sampling of classrooms, the outdoor learning environment, sampling of staff and child files, and other required program records were monitored. We completed a review of childcare rules. The required posted information and materials were present in the two classrooms where children are enrolled. Breakfast included pancakes and sausage, raisins and milk. Lunch included hotdogs cut-up in baked beans, carrots, peaches and milk. You indicated you will provide the sanitation, building, and fire inspection once they are received. They must be completed before the expiration of the 6-month temporary license. You must also provide test results indicating lead free water in the facility. Register with Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ for help with the collection and submission of the water samples from each water outlet used for drinking or food preparation for lead analysis. You must also complete the enrollment survey/questionnaire on the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website to determine lead in paint and asbestos testing needs. This must be completed before the expiration of the 6-month temporary license. The following violation was documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 447 For children under two years of age, time and space for sleeping, eating, toileting, diaper changing, and playing was not provided according to child's needs. An infant was observed sleeping in a bouncer in Space 3. .0511 (a) 496 Each child under the age of 12 months was not given supervised tummy time positioned on his/her stomach while awake and alert each day. Tummy time was not observed during the times the infant present in Space 3 was awake and alert. .0510(e)(6) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic bags used to store a child’s change of clothing was stored in a cubby. Additional plastic bags were stored in the unlocked filing cabinet. .0604(q) * Compliance History - Your temporary license expires January 1, 2025. 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 8/27/24, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is 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: Lakisha Skinner, Child Care Consultant PO BOX 431 Grimesland, NC 27837 Lakisha.Skinner@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 THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATION (S): Infants Sleeping in Unapproved Devices - Infants must be placed on their backs to sleep and their tummies to play. Infants who fall asleep any place that is not a crib must be moved and placed to sleep on their backs in a crib. Examples of places where infants may not be left to sleep are car seats, high chairs, swings, and infant seats. An infant was observed sleeping in a bouncer in Space 3. After discussing this with the lead teacher in the classroom, the infant was picked up and placed in the assigned crib. The lead teacher did not indicate why the infant was in the bouncer. Review this requirement with all staff who work in your infant classroom to ensure they understand that children must be put in a crib when they are asleep. Tummy Time - Infants should have supervised tummy time every day when they are awake. I arrived this morning at 9:00am. An infant awake in space 3 was seated in a bouncer. I exited the space and returned at 9:22am, the awake infant was still in the bouncer. I exited the space and returned at 10:00am, the additional teacher was holding the infant and providing a bottle feeding. I did not observed tummy time provided for the infant. Beginning on the first day at the facility, teachers should interact with an awake infant on his/her tummy for short periods (3–5 minutes), increasing the amount of time as the infant shows he/she enjoys the activity. The lead teacher did not indicate why the infant remained in the bouncer. Although the space is small, there are many ways to promote tummy time with the infant: Place yourself or a toy just out of the infant’s reach during playtime to get him/her to reach for you or the toy. You could also place toys in a circle around the infant. Reaching to different points in the circle will allow him/her to develop the appropriate muscles to roll over, scoot on his/her belly, and crawl. Plastic Bags – Plastic bags have been recognized for many years as a suffocation hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received average annual reports of twenty-five deaths per year to children due to suffocation from plastic bags. In child care facilities, plastic bags must be made inaccessible to children less than three years of age. In Space 2 (designated for children two-three years-of-age) plastic bags used to store a child’s change of clothing was stored in a cubby. Additional plastic bags were stored in the unlocked filing cabinet. If the teachers are going to use the plastic bags, then these bags must be stored out of reach of the children, which is defined as five feet or higher from the finished floor. We discussed the following: Staff and Children’s Files – During today’s review of files, paperwork indicating the employment date for staff hired prior to the change of ownership was not in their files. Those documents include but are not limited to the original application, medical and TB, and orientation form. You had the original paperwork in the facility. The same occurred with children enrolled prior to the change of ownership to include their original application, medical and immunization records. You began adding those documents during the visit. Please submit a copy of the staff and training worksheet indicating the original employment date to me no later than Friday August 16, 2024. Child Care Subsidy - Child Care Centers with a Temporary License in good standing may be eligible for participation in the NC Child Care Subsidy System during their first 6 months of operation. Only programs with a 3 Star or higher license are eligible to continue to participate in the Subsidy System after the first 6 months of operation. Now is the time to begin making plans to obtain at least a 3 Star License by the expiration of your Temporary License if you intend to participate in the NC Subsidized Child Care System. Rated License Process. You were reminded that a compliance history score of seventy five percent or above must be maintained in order to receive a rated license. You indicated your plan to remain in the held harmless state at the end of the 6-month temporary time period visit and assess based on the scored received prior to the change of ownership. I recommend you and your staff visit www.ncrlap.org and review training modules available and the additional resources provided. You may also contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Office for further technical assistance with the ERS. Please ensure all staff education has been evaluated through DCDEE WORKS. Instructions for the DCDEE WORKS system, including establishing a NCID, is located on our website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Remember to track the date information is submitted by staff. If you have questions regarding submitting information in the WORKS system, contact WORKS at 1-800-859-0829. Additional Comments: UNANNOUNCED VISITS - I will conduct two additional temporary time period visits. Ensure you document new staff on the staff and training worksheets for future monitoring. 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. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Moodle Support – The Division offers early childhood professionals a wide range of professional development opportunities through our online learning platform Moodle. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at (252) 820-5976, Lakisha.Skinner@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