10A NCAC 09 .1106 · Violation

Name of Operation: QUEST AT BLACKBURN ELEMENTARY Facility ID: 18000526 Consultant: MERIA WILDER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/2/2025 Number Present: 30 Completed Date: 12/2/2025 Age: From 5 To 11 Total Minutes: 151 Time In: 02:29 PM Time Out: 05:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Elizabeth Carter, Program Coordinator, assisted me with today’s visit. Your last annual compliance visit was conducted on December 18, 2025. Prior to today’s visit your compliance history score was 100%. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. Required postings were posted as required at the entrance to the facility. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on April 25, 2018, earning seven (7) points in staff education, two (2) points in program standards and one (1) quality point for reduced group size by one in each group from the seven point level as required in Rule .2818(c). Your facility operates with the following permit restrictions: daytime care only, school age only, meets enhanced space, group size reduced by one, playground does not meet playground safety standards and age range extended to 14 yrs old. Your most recent fire drill was conducted on November 14, 2025, and your most recent shelter-in-place emergency drill was conducted on November 18, 2025, and has been completed quarterly. Your written operational, administrative, personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2025 were given to me for review. You stated that your policies were last updated in 2025 and there had been no changes to your written policies and procedures. A walkthrough of your indoor space was conducted, students were participating in teacher-directed whole group activities, free choice play, transitions, toileting/handwashing routines, eating supper, and rest time. Staff/child interactions with children were positive and nurturing. Due to rainy conditions the playground was not monitored today although your playground does not meet child care safety standards. Developmentally appropriate materials were provided that were of sufficient quantities and in good repair and there were no potentially hazardous items accessible to the children. Daily sign in/out sheets and attendance was current/accurate. Incident reports were logged and stored in the child’s file. The Blackburn Elementary School - School Risk Management plan was current, printed and reviewed with staff annually. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious meals and showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Space capacity, adequate/approved space, supervision, staff/child ratios, group size, and appropriate discipline were observed today. There were no medications, no medication permission to administer forms and no Medical Action Plans to monitor. A portion of (6) six children’s files and (1) one staff record file were monitored. Your facility does not provide transportation and does not screen time. The “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” was completed during today’s visit. Health and safety requirements were monitored. The following violations were observed and cited during this visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1054 Documentation of staff's on-going training was not on file and/or was not current. There was (1) one staff member with a hire date of 7/11/16, that did not have documentation of completing 10 hours of ongoing training annually. 10A NCAC 09 .1106(a) 1890 Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file. There was (1) one staff member with a hire date of 7/11/16, that had health information stored with the personnel file. .0701(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. • There was (1) one staff member with a hire date of 7/11/16, that had health information stored with the personnel file. As discussed, each staff member’s health information should be stored in a separate file from staff personnel information. I suggest staff files be monitored to ensure that each staff member’s file maintains compliance and have all required information. • There was (1) one staff member with a hire date of 7/11/16, that did not have documentation of completing 10 hours of ongoing training annually. As discussed, this staff member is required to complete 10 hours of ongoing training annually and documentation of completions should be stored in the staff member’s personnel file for review. CONSULTATION: • QRIS Information: On October 10, 2025, Kimberly Crane, Child Care Consultant and I met with your Administrator, Erin Gates, to discuss the three options available to obtain a star rated license. During this meeting Ms. Gates, stated that she intends for this QUEST site to begin the process of completing Pathway 2 by January 2026. During today’s visit, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. We covered staff education (including ensuring all staff have WORKS accounts, understanding the 50% requirement for lead teachers and for other educators, and how work experience may count), enhanced ratios and space expectations, the Family and Community Engagement Foundational Practices, and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plans. Please visit the following link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/StarRated-License/QRIS-Modernization. You will find more information and details about the three different pathways so that your program can begin working towards the star rated license. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: Next Steps by Pathway If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Begin planning for your three-month self-study using the applicable ITERS-3, ECERS-3, SACERS-U, OR FCCERS-3 books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Access resources, training, and outreach via ncrlap.org. • Work with CCR&R or Smart Start for support in preparation. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • If four-year-olds are enrolled, select and implement an approved curriculum. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum and formative assessment tool for all ages.) • Arranging coaching or training options for administrators and lead teachers. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Ensure all staff have active WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three-star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. • DCDEE Resources - Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. - Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License - Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development - Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings - Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy - DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New • Child Care facility’s must enroll in the lead in water testing, lead based paint testing and Asbestos testing through Clean Water for US Kids. The following link will take you to the website to enroll https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. o Please be reminded that this facility is due for the Clean Water for US Kids lead/water testing per the three (3) year requirement in child care rule. • Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. • Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature • Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters and acknowledgement statements. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than December 16, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: meria.wilder@dhhs.nc.gov When emailing 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: An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (980) 434-3877 or by email at meria.wilder@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time and assistance today. 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