GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: SAINT JAMES DAY CARE & PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 16000019 Consultant: ANDREA JOHNSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0526-209L Visit Date: 5/20/2026 Number Present: 50 Completed Date: 5/20/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 299 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 04:14 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Self Report Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. The allegations are as follows: There are concerns that children were not adequately supervised. There are concerns that inappropriate discipline was used. There are concerns that children are cared for in an unapproved space. Your program currently operates with a Notice of Compliance issued on December 20, 2016. Restrictions include first shift care, children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only, and no cooking is allowed in the building. The program’s compliance history was 100% as of May 20, 2026. The center is owned by SJUMC Daycare, Inc. The corporation is current and active with the NC Secretary of State. Limited monitoring occurred. In addition to the allegations, permit restrictions, and staff child ratios were monitored. Kathy Guthrie, Administrator, and Miranda Rowe, Assistant Administrator were present and available for consultation. There were sixty-seven (67) children enrolled and fifty(50) children present ranging in age from zero (0) to five (5) years old. An unaccompanied walk through was conducted. Observations were conducted in all indoor and outdoor spaces approved for use. There were zero children in the outdoor spaces. Infants received routine care based on their individual needs. Toddlers, and all other preschool children were observed during rest or nap time. Each child had an individual cot with individual linens. Staff members were adequately supervising the children as they slept. Staff/child ratios were in compliance. The allegations of this report are specific to the classroom for three-year-old children. The allegations were discussed with Ms. Guthrie and other staff members. Ms. Rowe was the staff member in the classroom for three-year-old children. All staff were given the opportunity to state their perceptions of the allegations and share pertinent information. All staff members were interviewed privately and separately. The facility has a camera system, and footage was reviewed today. However, camera video footage was not available for review in the area of the hall where the staff member walked with the child. Additionally, the camera does not have audio. Findings- Allegation #1- There are concerns that children were not adequately supervised. Ms. Guthrie, Ms. Rowe, and all staff members reported that children are adequately supervised. Selected intervals of camera video footage from all classrooms were reviewed from May 13, 2026, until May 20, 2026. Viewings included morning activities, lunch, naptime, and transitions throughout the day. During today’s unaccompanied walkthrough and observations, all children were adequately supervised. Staff members were strategically positioned in their classrooms to ensure adequate supervision during naptime. Based on observations, your information, staff information, information received, video footage, and my investigation, this allegation is unconfirmed. Allegation #2- There are concerns that inappropriate discipline was used. Ms. Guthrie and Ms. Rowe reported that an incident occurred on May 5, 2026, regarding concerns that a parent reported a staff member grabbed and pulled a child by the left arm out of the classroom as she walked the child to the administrator’s office. Ms. Rowe stated on May 5, 2026, the facility was short staffed, lunch schedules had been switched around, and she was relieving another staff member for their lunch break in the classroom for three-year-old children. She was in the classroom by herself during nap time and was assisting the children on their cots. She stated she was patting two children’s backs and rubbing their hair to help them go to sleep. One child was up playing, making noise, calling children’s names, and smirking at the staff member. When the other staff member returned to the classroom, Ms. Rowe said she took the child by the wrist and walked her to the administrator’s office. Ms. Guthrie and I reviewed video footage of the classroom/hallway for May 5, 2026. The incident occurred in the afternoon between 1:28pm and 1:30pm while children were napping. Video footage reviewed today indicated that a staff member grasped a 3-year-old by the left wrist and firmly pulled the child around a shelf toward the classroom door. The staff member then stopped, turned, pointed, and spoke to someone in the classroom. While the staff member and the child stood at the door, the child lowered her head and placed her fingers in her mouth. The staff member then turned back toward the door and continued to pull the child by the wrist as they exited the classroom, causing the child’s body to slightly jerk forward. During today’s walkthrough and observations, all children were napping and inappropriate discipline was not observed. However, video footage reviewed on May 5, 2026, indicated that a staff member inappropriately and roughly handled a child while removing the child from the classroom. Based on observations, your information, staff information, information received, video footage, and my investigation, this allegation is confirmed. Allegation #3- There are concerns that children are cared for in an unapproved space. Ms. Rowe reported that on May 5, 2026, she walked a three-year-old child from the child’s assigned classroom to the administrator’s office to nap. Ms. Guthrie said she placed the child on a cot and turned the lights off in the office, but the child did not stay on the cot. Ms. Guthrie stated that while the child was in the office, she held the child in her lap several times and the child played with some toys in the office. Ms. Guthrie said at approximately 2:00pm, she was taking the child to peep and see all the gifts and foods for Teacher Appreciation Week, and the child’s parent arrived to pick up the child. Camera footage was reviewed for May 5, 2026, from 1:27pm until 2:05pm. Ms. Rowe brought the child to the administrator’s office at 1:28 pm. Ms. Guthrie placed the child on a cot and turned the lights off in the office. Camera video footage was too dark to see Ms. Guthrie or the child’s interactions. At 2:05pm, you can see Ms. Guthrie and the child in the hallway outside the office. The administrator’s office is not an approved space for childcare. Based on observations, your information, information received, video footage, and my investigation, this allegation is confirmed. Ms. Rowe was disciplined by the facility. Staff discipline form was reviewed today. The day of the incident, Ms. Guthrie held a meeting with all staff at 5:30pm. Ms. Guthrie shared the handwritten agenda with me during today’s visit. Ms. Guthrie discussed with staff the proper tone of voice used with children, good interactions with children, reacting versus responding, and how interactions with children may appear. She discussed in depth the importance of staff members requesting help when needed. Gossiping between staff members, scheduling appointments during work hours, and calling out from work was also discussed, There were three violations observed and cited today. Violations must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required at all times. Violation Number Comment Rule 209 Children used space that was not approved. A three-year-old child was placed on their cot in the administrator’s office to go to sleep during nap time. GS 110-91(1)&(4-5) 904 Child was handled roughly. A 3-year-old child was held by the left wrist and firmly pulled around a shelf toward the classroom door. A staff member pulled the child by the wrist as they exited the classroom, causing the child’s body to slightly jerk forward .1803(a)(1) 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Any violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 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: Andrea Johnson, Child Care Consultant andrea.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov PO Box 904 Beaufort, NC 28516 252-732-0183 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 Supervision: 10A NCAC 09 .1801 – Requires that children are adequately supervised at all times. Adequate supervision means: (1) Staff must be positioned in the indoor and outdoor environment to maximize their ability to hear or see the children at all times and render immediate assistance. (2) Staff must interact with the children while moving around the indoor or outdoor area. (3) Staff must know where each child is located and be aware of children’s activities at all times. (4) Staff must provide supervision appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Supervising children is a critical component of ensuring the safety and well-being of all children. Staff must be actively engaged at all times for this to occur. I encourage you to review Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1801 regarding supervision with all your staff. Adequate supervision requires staff members never leave children unattended, not even for a minute, unless in the case of a true emergency. Staff members must be positioned to see and hear children, provide immediate assistance and provide for their needs, especially infants and toddlers who depend solely on caregivers. Discipline: Since the interaction appeared to involve a firm grasp and pulling of the child, the child was roughly handled. When moving a child from one area to another area, staff should calmly explain to the child where they are going, hold or guide the child appropriately, such as by holding the child’s hands, and walk alongside the child in a supportive and developmentally appropriate manner. The word discipline means to teach and guide. Discipline is not punishment. The discipline standard should reflect an approach that prevents behavior problems by supporting children in learning appropriate social skills and emotional responses. Those that work with young children should care for children without ever resorting to physical punishment or abusive language. When a child needs assistance, needs to express feelings, needs, and wants, the adult should help the child learn strategies for dealing with any situation. Conventional discipline too easily slides into punishment. For example, if we embarrass children by singling them out as part of our discipline strategy, this is punishment. Punishment makes young children feel stressed, hurt, rejected, and angry; these feelings make it harder for children to learn emotional and social skills. Unapproved Space: Using approved spaces in childcare is essential to protect children from physical hazards, prevent the spread of illness, and support healthy development. Childcare rules regarding approved spaces are specifically designed to nurture children safely while giving them a dedicated, comfortable environment in which to grow. A return visit will be conducted to verify compliance with the violations documented today. Violations of this nature directly impact the safety of the children while in your care. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your program. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times whether or not they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you meet all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, signed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at andrea.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also contact my supervisor at kim.sherry@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: SAINT JAMES DAY CARE & PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 16000019 Consultant: ANDREA JOHNSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0526-209L Visit Date: 5/20/2026 Number Present: 50 Completed Date: 5/20/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 299 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 04:14 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Self Report Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. The allegations are as follows: There are concerns that children were not adequately supervised. There are concerns that inappropriate discipline was used. There are concerns that children are cared for in an unapproved space. Your program currently operates with a Notice of Compliance issued on December 20, 2016. Restrictions include first shift care, children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only, and no cooking is allowed in the building. The program’s compliance history was 100% as of May 20, 2026. The center is owned by SJUMC Daycare, Inc. The corporation is current and active with the NC Secretary of State. Limited monitoring occurred. In addition to the allegations, permit restrictions, and staff child ratios were monitored. Kathy Guthrie, Administrator, and Miranda Rowe, Assistant Administrator were present and available for consultation. There were sixty-seven (67) children enrolled and fifty(50) children present ranging in age from zero (0) to five (5) years old. An unaccompanied walk through was conducted. Observations were conducted in all indoor and outdoor spaces approved for use. There were zero children in the outdoor spaces. Infants received routine care based on their individual needs. Toddlers, and all other preschool children were observed during rest or nap time. Each child had an individual cot with individual linens. Staff members were adequately supervising the children as they slept. Staff/child ratios were in compliance. The allegations of this report are specific to the classroom for three-year-old children. The allegations were discussed with Ms. Guthrie and other staff members. Ms. Rowe was the staff member in the classroom for three-year-old children. All staff were given the opportunity to state their perceptions of the allegations and share pertinent information. All staff members were interviewed privately and separately. The facility has a camera system, and footage was reviewed today. However, camera video footage was not available for review in the area of the hall where the staff member walked with the child. Additionally, the camera does not have audio. Findings- Allegation #1- There are concerns that children were not adequately supervised. Ms. Guthrie, Ms. Rowe, and all staff members reported that children are adequately supervised. Selected intervals of camera video footage from all classrooms were reviewed from May 13, 2026, until May 20, 2026. Viewings included morning activities, lunch, naptime, and transitions throughout the day. During today’s unaccompanied walkthrough and observations, all children were adequately supervised. Staff members were strategically positioned in their classrooms to ensure adequate supervision during naptime. Based on observations, your information, staff information, information received, video footage, and my investigation, this allegation is unconfirmed. Allegation #2- There are concerns that inappropriate discipline was used. Ms. Guthrie and Ms. Rowe reported that an incident occurred on May 5, 2026, regarding concerns that a parent reported a staff member grabbed and pulled a child by the left arm out of the classroom as she walked the child to the administrator’s office. Ms. Rowe stated on May 5, 2026, the facility was short staffed, lunch schedules had been switched around, and she was relieving another staff member for their lunch break in the classroom for three-year-old children. She was in the classroom by herself during nap time and was assisting the children on their cots. She stated she was patting two children’s backs and rubbing their hair to help them go to sleep. One child was up playing, making noise, calling children’s names, and smirking at the staff member. When the other staff member returned to the classroom, Ms. Rowe said she took the child by the wrist and walked her to the administrator’s office. Ms. Guthrie and I reviewed video footage of the classroom/hallway for May 5, 2026. The incident occurred in the afternoon between 1:28pm and 1:30pm while children were napping. Video footage reviewed today indicated that a staff member grasped a 3-year-old by the left wrist and firmly pulled the child around a shelf toward the classroom door. The staff member then stopped, turned, pointed, and spoke to someone in the classroom. While the staff member and the child stood at the door, the child lowered her head and placed her fingers in her mouth. The staff member then turned back toward the door and continued to pull the child by the wrist as they exited the classroom, causing the child’s body to slightly jerk forward. During today’s walkthrough and observations, all children were napping and inappropriate discipline was not observed. However, video footage reviewed on May 5, 2026, indicated that a staff member inappropriately and roughly handled a child while removing the child from the classroom. Based on observations, your information, staff information, information received, video footage, and my investigation, this allegation is confirmed. Allegation #3- There are concerns that children are cared for in an unapproved space. Ms. Rowe reported that on May 5, 2026, she walked a three-year-old child from the child’s assigned classroom to the administrator’s office to nap. Ms. Guthrie said she placed the child on a cot and turned the lights off in the office, but the child did not stay on the cot. Ms. Guthrie stated that while the child was in the office, she held the child in her lap several times and the child played with some toys in the office. Ms. Guthrie said at approximately 2:00pm, she was taking the child to peep and see all the gifts and foods for Teacher Appreciation Week, and the child’s parent arrived to pick up the child. Camera footage was reviewed for May 5, 2026, from 1:27pm until 2:05pm. Ms. Rowe brought the child to the administrator’s office at 1:28 pm. Ms. Guthrie placed the child on a cot and turned the lights off in the office. Camera video footage was too dark to see Ms. Guthrie or the child’s interactions. At 2:05pm, you can see Ms. Guthrie and the child in the hallway outside the office. The administrator’s office is not an approved space for childcare. Based on observations, your information, information received, video footage, and my investigation, this allegation is confirmed. Ms. Rowe was disciplined by the facility. Staff discipline form was reviewed today. The day of the incident, Ms. Guthrie held a meeting with all staff at 5:30pm. Ms. Guthrie shared the handwritten agenda with me during today’s visit. Ms. Guthrie discussed with staff the proper tone of voice used with children, good interactions with children, reacting versus responding, and how interactions with children may appear. She discussed in depth the importance of staff members requesting help when needed. Gossiping between staff members, scheduling appointments during work hours, and calling out from work was also discussed, There were three violations observed and cited today. Violations must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required at all times. Violation Number Comment Rule 209 Children used space that was not approved. A three-year-old child was placed on their cot in the administrator’s office to go to sleep during nap time. GS 110-91(1)&(4-5) 904 Child was handled roughly. A 3-year-old child was held by the left wrist and firmly pulled around a shelf toward the classroom door. A staff member pulled the child by the wrist as they exited the classroom, causing the child’s body to slightly jerk forward .1803(a)(1) 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Any violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 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: Andrea Johnson, Child Care Consultant andrea.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov PO Box 904 Beaufort, NC 28516 252-732-0183 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 Supervision: 10A NCAC 09 .1801 – Requires that children are adequately supervised at all times. Adequate supervision means: (1) Staff must be positioned in the indoor and outdoor environment to maximize their ability to hear or see the children at all times and render immediate assistance. (2) Staff must interact with the children while moving around the indoor or outdoor area. (3) Staff must know where each child is located and be aware of children’s activities at all times. (4) Staff must provide supervision appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Supervising children is a critical component of ensuring the safety and well-being of all children. Staff must be actively engaged at all times for this to occur. I encourage you to review Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1801 regarding supervision with all your staff. Adequate supervision requires staff members never leave children unattended, not even for a minute, unless in the case of a true emergency. Staff members must be positioned to see and hear children, provide immediate assistance and provide for their needs, especially infants and toddlers who depend solely on caregivers. Discipline: Since the interaction appeared to involve a firm grasp and pulling of the child, the child was roughly handled. When moving a child from one area to another area, staff should calmly explain to the child where they are going, hold or guide the child appropriately, such as by holding the child’s hands, and walk alongside the child in a supportive and developmentally appropriate manner. The word discipline means to teach and guide. Discipline is not punishment. The discipline standard should reflect an approach that prevents behavior problems by supporting children in learning appropriate social skills and emotional responses. Those that work with young children should care for children without ever resorting to physical punishment or abusive language. When a child needs assistance, needs to express feelings, needs, and wants, the adult should help the child learn strategies for dealing with any situation. Conventional discipline too easily slides into punishment. For example, if we embarrass children by singling them out as part of our discipline strategy, this is punishment. Punishment makes young children feel stressed, hurt, rejected, and angry; these feelings make it harder for children to learn emotional and social skills. Unapproved Space: Using approved spaces in childcare is essential to protect children from physical hazards, prevent the spread of illness, and support healthy development. Childcare rules regarding approved spaces are specifically designed to nurture children safely while giving them a dedicated, comfortable environment in which to grow. A return visit will be conducted to verify compliance with the violations documented today. Violations of this nature directly impact the safety of the children while in your care. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your program. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times whether or not they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you meet all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, signed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at andrea.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also contact my supervisor at kim.sherry@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.