10A NCAC 09 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/9/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 10/9/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 285 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 02:15 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. Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, and Elizabeth Moseley, Administrator/Principal, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on February 25, 2025. I reviewed the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your center's compliance history was 91% as of October 9, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020 earning seven points in staff education, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having a BA/BA or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your most recent fire inspection was dated October 21, 2024 and received in my office on December 4, 2024 along with a district plan to receive fire inspection reports in a timelier manner. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 17, 2025 with a Superior classification and zero demerits. I verified that prior to licensure the school completed lead water testing. Today, I verified that the lead water test results dated November 14, 2024 indicated that the facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that the school is exempt from the lead-based paint and asbestos testing based on documentation that was submitted on February 26, 2025. I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored the indoor and outdoor licensed spaces. Children were participating in Stretch ‘N’ Grow activities, playing in activity areas, attending to personal care needs including handwashing, transitioning from the classroom to the cafeteria, choosing meal items through the cafeteria line, eating lunch in the cafeteria, transitioning from the cafeteria to the classroom, engaged in whole group discussion and recap of the day’s learning discussion focused on apples, participating in an icy treat with a visit from the food truck from Pelicans, and playing outdoors. Positive interactions were observed between the teachers and the children. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared and served in the school cafeteria. Cold food served to the children was stored in a commercial refrigerator in the cafeteria at a temperature of forty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Milk served to the children was stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your School Risk Management (SRM) Plan. I reviewed staff records for two returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and completion of Playground Safety Training. Today, I reviewed the staff record for one new staff member hired since the last annual compliance visit on February 25, 2025. A staff and training worksheet documenting the two returning staff members and the one new staff member was not available for review today. I monitored health and safety requirements. During the 2024-2025 school year, I reviewed the written operational policies and the parent participation plan for the 2024 – 2025 school year which are used by the NC PreK program sites housed in Newton-Conover City Schools buildings. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. The administrator, Dr. Michelle Kendrick is the Preschool Coordinator and Itinerate Teacher for Newton-Conover City Schools and does not serve as the lead teacher or assistant teacher in the classroom. You used Ages and Stages as the Developmental Screening tool. You used Teaching Strategies Gold as the Formative Assessment tool and The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, Fourth Edition, as your approved curriculum. The health assessment including the physical examination, immunizations, vision screening, hearing screening, and dental screening are used to refer children for additional services as needed. Your family engagement component included formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, classroom visits and options for parents and families to participate in classroom activities, parent education, opportunities for involvement in decision-making about the early childhood program, and opportunities to engage families outside the regular school day. You call or text the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence and report absences to Ms. Moseley and the Catawba County Partnership for Children. The NC PreK program followed the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2025 – 2026 school year. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violation was cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence surrounding the outdoor play area measured four feet on the front and right fence lines, three feet and ten inches on the back fence line, and three feet seven inches on the left fence line. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. Today, the fence around your outdoor play area was measured from the top of the mulch surfacing to the top of the yellow protective casing on top of the fence. The fence surrounding your outdoor play area measured four feet on the front and right fence lines, three feet and ten inches on the back fence line, and three feet seven inches on the left fence line. As discussed today, it appeared that the left fence line may have settled several inches since the last monitoring visit in February 2025. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you rake the mulch away from the bottom of the fence daily. I suggested you be cautious of the depth of the surfacing material and the inside height of the fence when replenishing is necessary and consider replacing the four foot fence with a five or six foot fence with no exposed barbs on top. CONSULTATION: 1. 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, an overview of Pathways 1, 2, and 3, Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) for NC PreK, Self-Study, and Coaching/Mentoring or Training. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care consultant by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • 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. o Access resources, trainings, and outreach via ncrlap.org. o 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 by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • 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 by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • 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. 2. When storing bulk hand soap or hand sanitizer, remember to lock those bulk items in a cabinet or closet. 3. When accepting permission to administer medication on a form provided the health care professional or school nurse, remember to attach the Medication Administration Log to the permission form so you can document the required information each time you administer the medication. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 6. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. 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 7. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 8. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: 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. 1) 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 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send photographs of the fence and/or surfacing repairs for me to use to verify compliance. Be sure to include a rule, yardstick, or tape measure in your photograph to depict the height of the fence. I should receive your compliance letter no later than October 23, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or our lead consultant and interim licensing supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/9/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 10/9/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 285 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 02:15 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. Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, and Elizabeth Moseley, Administrator/Principal, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on February 25, 2025. I reviewed the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Your center's compliance history was 91% as of October 9, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020 earning seven points in staff education, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having a BA/BA or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your most recent fire inspection was dated October 21, 2024 and received in my office on December 4, 2024 along with a district plan to receive fire inspection reports in a timelier manner. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 17, 2025 with a Superior classification and zero demerits. I verified that prior to licensure the school completed lead water testing. Today, I verified that the lead water test results dated November 14, 2024 indicated that the facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that the school is exempt from the lead-based paint and asbestos testing based on documentation that was submitted on February 26, 2025. I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored the indoor and outdoor licensed spaces. Children were participating in Stretch ‘N’ Grow activities, playing in activity areas, attending to personal care needs including handwashing, transitioning from the classroom to the cafeteria, choosing meal items through the cafeteria line, eating lunch in the cafeteria, transitioning from the cafeteria to the classroom, engaged in whole group discussion and recap of the day’s learning discussion focused on apples, participating in an icy treat with a visit from the food truck from Pelicans, and playing outdoors. Positive interactions were observed between the teachers and the children. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared and served in the school cafeteria. Cold food served to the children was stored in a commercial refrigerator in the cafeteria at a temperature of forty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Milk served to the children was stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch met meal pattern requirements. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your School Risk Management (SRM) Plan. I reviewed staff records for two returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and completion of Playground Safety Training. Today, I reviewed the staff record for one new staff member hired since the last annual compliance visit on February 25, 2025. A staff and training worksheet documenting the two returning staff members and the one new staff member was not available for review today. I monitored health and safety requirements. During the 2024-2025 school year, I reviewed the written operational policies and the parent participation plan for the 2024 – 2025 school year which are used by the NC PreK program sites housed in Newton-Conover City Schools buildings. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. The administrator, Dr. Michelle Kendrick is the Preschool Coordinator and Itinerate Teacher for Newton-Conover City Schools and does not serve as the lead teacher or assistant teacher in the classroom. You used Ages and Stages as the Developmental Screening tool. You used Teaching Strategies Gold as the Formative Assessment tool and The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, Fourth Edition, as your approved curriculum. The health assessment including the physical examination, immunizations, vision screening, hearing screening, and dental screening are used to refer children for additional services as needed. Your family engagement component included formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, classroom visits and options for parents and families to participate in classroom activities, parent education, opportunities for involvement in decision-making about the early childhood program, and opportunities to engage families outside the regular school day. You call or text the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence and report absences to Ms. Moseley and the Catawba County Partnership for Children. The NC PreK program followed the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2025 – 2026 school year. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violation was cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence surrounding the outdoor play area measured four feet on the front and right fence lines, three feet and ten inches on the back fence line, and three feet seven inches on the left fence line. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. Today, the fence around your outdoor play area was measured from the top of the mulch surfacing to the top of the yellow protective casing on top of the fence. The fence surrounding your outdoor play area measured four feet on the front and right fence lines, three feet and ten inches on the back fence line, and three feet seven inches on the left fence line. As discussed today, it appeared that the left fence line may have settled several inches since the last monitoring visit in February 2025. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you rake the mulch away from the bottom of the fence daily. I suggested you be cautious of the depth of the surfacing material and the inside height of the fence when replenishing is necessary and consider replacing the four foot fence with a five or six foot fence with no exposed barbs on top. CONSULTATION: 1. 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, an overview of Pathways 1, 2, and 3, Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) for NC PreK, Self-Study, and Coaching/Mentoring or Training. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care consultant by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • 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. o Access resources, trainings, and outreach via ncrlap.org. o 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 by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • 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 by the date of your next monitoring visit but no later than May 31, 2025. • 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. 2. When storing bulk hand soap or hand sanitizer, remember to lock those bulk items in a cabinet or closet. 3. When accepting permission to administer medication on a form provided the health care professional or school nurse, remember to attach the Medication Administration Log to the permission form so you can document the required information each time you administer the medication. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 6. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. 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 7. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 8. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: 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. 1) 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 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send photographs of the fence and/or surfacing repairs for me to use to verify compliance. Be sure to include a rule, yardstick, or tape measure in your photograph to depict the height of the fence. I should receive your compliance letter no later than October 23, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or our lead consultant and interim licensing supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

10A NCAC 09 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/25/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 2/25/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:45 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. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, email address, mailing address, or fax number. I reviewed the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained today. Your program’s compliance history was 93% as of February 20, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020 earning six points in staff education, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having an BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your last sanitation inspection was dated September 9, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that you completed the process for new lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that the test results dated November 14, 2024 indicated that your facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have enrolled for the lead-based paint testing and the asbestos testing as required. Your last fire inspection on file was dated October 21, 2024. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored the indoor and outdoor licensed spaces. Space 117 was not currently being used by the preschool program. Children were playing in activity areas, transitioning from the classroom to the cafeteria, eating lunch and engaged in personal care routines. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared and served in the school cafeteria. Cold food was stored in two commercial refrigerators in the cafeteria at a temperature of 42 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk was stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch included a choice of chicken tetrazzini with a roll or a hot ham and cheese on a croissant, a choice of roasted baby carrots or coleslaw, a choice of apple slices or raisins and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Dr. Michelle Kendrick, Preschool Coordinator for Newton-Conover City Schools, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education, and opportunities to engage families outside of the regular school day. You stated you call the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence and how you can help. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 8:00am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2024 – 2025 school year. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I observed and cited the following violation during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence around the outdoor play area measured three feet and ten inches from the top the mulch to the top of the fence. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. Today, the fence around your outdoor play area measured three feet and ten inches from the top of the mulch surfacing to the top of the yellow protective casing on top of the fence. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you rake the mulch away from the bottom of the fence. I also suggested you be cautious of the depth of the surfacing material and the inside height of the fence when replenishing is necessary. CONSULTATION 1. As we discussed, you have an intern seeking approval to visit your classroom a few times during this semester. As I understand it, this intern will not be compensated, will not supervise children, and will not count in staff to child ratio. With that understanding in mind, this intern would most closely meet our definition of a volunteer. Today, I sent you an email with the file checklist for a volunteer that lists the paperwork required to be on file for volunteers. 2. 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. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. 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. 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. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. 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. 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. 3. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is in the process of being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ECCERS. ITERS and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded the any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 4. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: 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 COMPLIANCE PLAN: 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. 1) 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 2) Supporting documentation including the following: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 should receive your compliance letter no later than March 11, 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. 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. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/25/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 2/25/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:45 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. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, email address, mailing address, or fax number. I reviewed the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained today. Your program’s compliance history was 93% as of February 20, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020 earning six points in staff education, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having an BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your last sanitation inspection was dated September 9, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that you completed the process for new lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that the test results dated November 14, 2024 indicated that your facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have enrolled for the lead-based paint testing and the asbestos testing as required. Your last fire inspection on file was dated October 21, 2024. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored the indoor and outdoor licensed spaces. Space 117 was not currently being used by the preschool program. Children were playing in activity areas, transitioning from the classroom to the cafeteria, eating lunch and engaged in personal care routines. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared and served in the school cafeteria. Cold food was stored in two commercial refrigerators in the cafeteria at a temperature of 42 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk was stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch included a choice of chicken tetrazzini with a roll or a hot ham and cheese on a croissant, a choice of roasted baby carrots or coleslaw, a choice of apple slices or raisins and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Dr. Michelle Kendrick, Preschool Coordinator for Newton-Conover City Schools, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education, and opportunities to engage families outside of the regular school day. You stated you call the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence and how you can help. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 8:00am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2024 – 2025 school year. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I observed and cited the following violation during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence around the outdoor play area measured three feet and ten inches from the top the mulch to the top of the fence. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. Today, the fence around your outdoor play area measured three feet and ten inches from the top of the mulch surfacing to the top of the yellow protective casing on top of the fence. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you rake the mulch away from the bottom of the fence. I also suggested you be cautious of the depth of the surfacing material and the inside height of the fence when replenishing is necessary. CONSULTATION 1. As we discussed, you have an intern seeking approval to visit your classroom a few times during this semester. As I understand it, this intern will not be compensated, will not supervise children, and will not count in staff to child ratio. With that understanding in mind, this intern would most closely meet our definition of a volunteer. Today, I sent you an email with the file checklist for a volunteer that lists the paperwork required to be on file for volunteers. 2. 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. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. 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. 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. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. 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. 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. 3. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is in the process of being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ECCERS. ITERS and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded the any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 4. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: 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 COMPLIANCE PLAN: 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. 1) 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 2) Supporting documentation including the following: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 should receive your compliance letter no later than March 11, 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. 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. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/25/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 2/25/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:45 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. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, email address, mailing address, or fax number. I reviewed the restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained today. Your program’s compliance history was 93% as of February 20, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020 earning six points in staff education, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having an BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your last sanitation inspection was dated September 9, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that you completed the process for new lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that the test results dated November 14, 2024 indicated that your facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have enrolled for the lead-based paint testing and the asbestos testing as required. Your last fire inspection on file was dated October 21, 2024. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored the indoor and outdoor licensed spaces. Space 117 was not currently being used by the preschool program. Children were playing in activity areas, transitioning from the classroom to the cafeteria, eating lunch and engaged in personal care routines. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared and served in the school cafeteria. Cold food was stored in two commercial refrigerators in the cafeteria at a temperature of 42 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk was stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Today’s lunch included a choice of chicken tetrazzini with a roll or a hot ham and cheese on a croissant, a choice of roasted baby carrots or coleslaw, a choice of apple slices or raisins and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Dr. Michelle Kendrick, Preschool Coordinator for Newton-Conover City Schools, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education, and opportunities to engage families outside of the regular school day. You stated you call the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence and how you can help. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 8:00am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2024 – 2025 school year. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I observed and cited the following violation during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 824 Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence around the outdoor play area measured three feet and ten inches from the top the mulch to the top of the fence. GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. Today, the fence around your outdoor play area measured three feet and ten inches from the top of the mulch surfacing to the top of the yellow protective casing on top of the fence. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you rake the mulch away from the bottom of the fence. I also suggested you be cautious of the depth of the surfacing material and the inside height of the fence when replenishing is necessary. CONSULTATION 1. As we discussed, you have an intern seeking approval to visit your classroom a few times during this semester. As I understand it, this intern will not be compensated, will not supervise children, and will not count in staff to child ratio. With that understanding in mind, this intern would most closely meet our definition of a volunteer. Today, I sent you an email with the file checklist for a volunteer that lists the paperwork required to be on file for volunteers. 2. 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. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. 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. 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. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. 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. 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. 3. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is in the process of being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ECCERS. ITERS and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded the any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 4. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: 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 COMPLIANCE PLAN: 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. 1) 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 2) Supporting documentation including the following: 1. Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 2. 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 should receive your compliance letter no later than March 11, 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. 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. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

10A NCAC 09 .0515 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/20/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 9/20/2024 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 230 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 12, 2024. Your center's compliance history was 97% as of September 17, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020, earning six points in staff education, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of teachers having an BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. The capacity and age range on your permit were being maintained. Your program was also monitored for compliance with NC PreK requirements. Your most recent fire inspection was dated October 25, 2023 and received in my office on November 16, 2023. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 9, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that you have started the updated lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that your most recent lead water test results were dated January 15, 2021 and a sample kit has been shipped to your facility for you to use to collect water samples for new testing. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing as required. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored the indoor and outdoor licensed spaces. I observed children throughout the facility playing in activity areas, transitioning from the classroom to the cafeteria, eating lunch and engaged in personal care routines. I observed staff facilitating play and peer interactions, talking through behavior management needs with the children, fostering self-regulation and positive choices, leading teacher lead activities, and assisting the children with personal care routines as needed. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Today’s lunch included a choice of cheese or pepperoni pizza, chicken nuggets, or chicken fajita, a choice of mixed vegetables or parley potatoes, a choice of applesauce or fruit mix and unflavored milk. Meals were prepared and served in the school cafeteria. Cold food and milk served to the children were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the school cafeteria at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your School Risk Management (SRM) Plan. I reviewed three staff record files for returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and completion of Playground Safety Training by at least one staff member. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at a routine unannounced visits on October 22, 2022 and November 29, 2023. You stated your written operational, administrative, personnel policies and parent participation plan were included in the Newton-Conover City Schools Preschool Policy Handbook for the 2024-2025 school year and the Catawba County’s Preschool Family Handbook dated 2024-2025. I monitored both these updated handbooks today. All required operational, administrative, and personnel policy required components were included and documented. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Dr. Michelle Kendrick, Preschool Coordinator for Newton-Conover City Schools, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained throughout most of the visit. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education, and opportunities to engage families outside of the regular school day. You stated you call the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence and how you can help. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 8:00am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2024 – 2025 school year. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 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. One spray bottle of Clorox Clean Up cleanser was stored above five feet on top of the paper towel holder in the classroom bathroom. A variety of disinfecting wipes, three aerosol cans of disinfecting spray, and one half-gallon jug of bleach were stored in an unlocked storage cabinet containing a pad lock with a key in the lock but not in the locked position. .2820(b) 1208 Parent participation plan did not include a registration procedure to involve both parents and encourages parents and child to visit before the child begins attending. The Parent Participation Plan included in the Newton-Conover City Schools Preschool Policy Handbook did not include a registration procedure to involve both parents and encourages parents and child to visit before the child begins attending. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(b)(1) 1211 Parent participation plan did not include a procedure for parents who need information or who have complaints about the program. The Parent Participation Plan included in the Newton-Conover Preschool Policy Handbook did not include a procedure for parents who need information or who have complaints about the program. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(b)(4) 1775 NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival to the classroom and for approximately an additional two minutes into the monitoring visit, the teacher supervised thirteen children ages four and five years of age alone when the teacher assistant had to quickly leave the classroom to attend to personal care needs. .3009 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(b), hazardous items including aerosol cans and disinfecting wipes with additional warnings should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. During today’s visit, I observed one spray bottle of Clorox Clean Up cleanser stored above five feet on top of the paper towel holder in the classroom bathroom. You stated the bottle of Clorox Clean Up belonged to the school custodian who had accidently left it in the classroom bathroom when he cleaned the bathroom this morning. You removed the spray bottle of Clorox Clean Up from the classroom and returned it to the school custodian. During today’s visit, I observed a pad lock with a key in the lock but not in the locked position used on a storage cabinet containing a variety of disinfecting wipes, three aerosol cans of disinfecting spray, and one half-gallon jug of bleach. You locked the pad lock, removed the key, and placed the key away from the lock. Both these corrective actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this child care requirement with your school custodial staff and make it a point for you and your teacher assistant to check behind each other and the school custodial prior to children arriving in the morning, routinely throughout the preschool day, and at the end of the preschool day to make sure that hazardous items are locked. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0515(b)(1-4), each facility should develop a written parent participation plan that includes the following: a. a procedure for registering a child for child care that involves both parents when possible and that encourages a visit to the center by the child and the child's parents before the child begins attending the center; b. opportunities for caregiving staff to meet with parents on a regular basis to discuss their child's needs and progress and to exchange information about the program; c. activities that provide parents opportunities to participate in the center's program on an individual basis and as a group; d. a procedure for parents who need information or have complaints about the child care program. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you add a procedure for registering a child for child care that involves both parents when possible and that encourages a visit to the center by the child and the child's parents before the child begins attending the center and a procedure for parents who need information or have complaints about the child care program to your parent participation plan. After adding these two components to your parent participation plan, I suggest you notify each parent in writing of the revised Parent Participation Plan and have each parent sign an attestation statement of receipt or post the revised Parent Participation Plan in the classroom. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009, NC Pre-K program staff to child ratios and group sizes should be maintained at all times. During today’s visit upon my arrival to the classroom and for approximately an additional two minutes into the monitoring visit, I observed you supervising fifteen children ages four and five years of age. You stated the teacher assistant had to quickly leave the classroom to attend to personal care needs. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement when staff members need to leave the room to attend to personal care needs, I suggest you have Elizabeth Mosely, School Principal and Legal Designee for your facility, or another staff member on standby as an emergency substitute that can come in your classroom and cover for brief moments as needed. When securing this emergency substitute, be reminded that this person would need to have a Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter on file as well as meet the other staff record requirements for a substitute staff member and you would need to maintain a staff record file for that emergency substitute staff member. Due to the nature of the violation, I will make a follow-up visit to your facility in the near future. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. 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, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. On Friday, July 12, 2024, DCDEE sent a “Raise North Carolina” email blast announcing the signing of Senate Bill 425. The email contained a section entitled, “Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modernization” which provided updated information regarding the Rated License Reassessment process and approved extended stabilization grant funding. What does all this mean for child care in general? 1. The new QRIS Modifications and additional pathways will be added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ECCERS. ITERS and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission have already begun the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. 2. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Providers in any Cohort may voluntarily request a star rated license reassessment if they wish. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. 3. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers will need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. What does all this mean for facilities in Cohort 1? A facility may voluntarily request to complete the star rated license reassessment at any time but will not be required to complete the star rated license reassessment process this year. What does this mean for the Environmental Rating Scales? Please be reminded that if a facility voluntarily chooses to complete the star rated license reassessment AND chooses to complete one or more Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments, the ERS-revised editions will continue to be used until January 31, 2025. Any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. If you wish to VOLUNTARILY move forward with a rated license reassessment, please reach out to me as soon as possible so plans can be made on both our calendars to ensure ease and success with completing the star rated license reassessment process in a timely manner that benefits us both. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violation item number 840 because I documented in this visit summary the corrective actions taken today to correct this violation and I recorded the violation as corrected during today’s visit. 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. 1) 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 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 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 should receive your compliance letter no later than October 4, 2024. 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. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. 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. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .3009 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/20/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 9/20/2024 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 230 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on March 12, 2024. Your center's compliance history was 97% as of September 17, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020, earning six points in staff education, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of teachers having an BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. The capacity and age range on your permit were being maintained. Your program was also monitored for compliance with NC PreK requirements. Your most recent fire inspection was dated October 25, 2023 and received in my office on November 16, 2023. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 9, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that you have started the updated lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that your most recent lead water test results were dated January 15, 2021 and a sample kit has been shipped to your facility for you to use to collect water samples for new testing. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing as required. You and I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored the indoor and outdoor licensed spaces. I observed children throughout the facility playing in activity areas, transitioning from the classroom to the cafeteria, eating lunch and engaged in personal care routines. I observed staff facilitating play and peer interactions, talking through behavior management needs with the children, fostering self-regulation and positive choices, leading teacher lead activities, and assisting the children with personal care routines as needed. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Today’s lunch included a choice of cheese or pepperoni pizza, chicken nuggets, or chicken fajita, a choice of mixed vegetables or parley potatoes, a choice of applesauce or fruit mix and unflavored milk. Meals were prepared and served in the school cafeteria. Cold food and milk served to the children were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the school cafeteria at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your School Risk Management (SRM) Plan. I reviewed three staff record files for returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and completion of Playground Safety Training by at least one staff member. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at a routine unannounced visits on October 22, 2022 and November 29, 2023. You stated your written operational, administrative, personnel policies and parent participation plan were included in the Newton-Conover City Schools Preschool Policy Handbook for the 2024-2025 school year and the Catawba County’s Preschool Family Handbook dated 2024-2025. I monitored both these updated handbooks today. All required operational, administrative, and personnel policy required components were included and documented. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Dr. Michelle Kendrick, Preschool Coordinator for Newton-Conover City Schools, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained throughout most of the visit. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education, and opportunities to engage families outside of the regular school day. You stated you call the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence and how you can help. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 8:00am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2024 – 2025 school year. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 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. One spray bottle of Clorox Clean Up cleanser was stored above five feet on top of the paper towel holder in the classroom bathroom. A variety of disinfecting wipes, three aerosol cans of disinfecting spray, and one half-gallon jug of bleach were stored in an unlocked storage cabinet containing a pad lock with a key in the lock but not in the locked position. .2820(b) 1208 Parent participation plan did not include a registration procedure to involve both parents and encourages parents and child to visit before the child begins attending. The Parent Participation Plan included in the Newton-Conover City Schools Preschool Policy Handbook did not include a registration procedure to involve both parents and encourages parents and child to visit before the child begins attending. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(b)(1) 1211 Parent participation plan did not include a procedure for parents who need information or who have complaints about the program. The Parent Participation Plan included in the Newton-Conover Preschool Policy Handbook did not include a procedure for parents who need information or who have complaints about the program. 10A NCAC 09 .0515(b)(4) 1775 NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival to the classroom and for approximately an additional two minutes into the monitoring visit, the teacher supervised thirteen children ages four and five years of age alone when the teacher assistant had to quickly leave the classroom to attend to personal care needs. .3009 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820(b), hazardous items including aerosol cans and disinfecting wipes with additional warnings should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. During today’s visit, I observed one spray bottle of Clorox Clean Up cleanser stored above five feet on top of the paper towel holder in the classroom bathroom. You stated the bottle of Clorox Clean Up belonged to the school custodian who had accidently left it in the classroom bathroom when he cleaned the bathroom this morning. You removed the spray bottle of Clorox Clean Up from the classroom and returned it to the school custodian. During today’s visit, I observed a pad lock with a key in the lock but not in the locked position used on a storage cabinet containing a variety of disinfecting wipes, three aerosol cans of disinfecting spray, and one half-gallon jug of bleach. You locked the pad lock, removed the key, and placed the key away from the lock. Both these corrective actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review this child care requirement with your school custodial staff and make it a point for you and your teacher assistant to check behind each other and the school custodial prior to children arriving in the morning, routinely throughout the preschool day, and at the end of the preschool day to make sure that hazardous items are locked. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0515(b)(1-4), each facility should develop a written parent participation plan that includes the following: a. a procedure for registering a child for child care that involves both parents when possible and that encourages a visit to the center by the child and the child's parents before the child begins attending the center; b. opportunities for caregiving staff to meet with parents on a regular basis to discuss their child's needs and progress and to exchange information about the program; c. activities that provide parents opportunities to participate in the center's program on an individual basis and as a group; d. a procedure for parents who need information or have complaints about the child care program. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you add a procedure for registering a child for child care that involves both parents when possible and that encourages a visit to the center by the child and the child's parents before the child begins attending the center and a procedure for parents who need information or have complaints about the child care program to your parent participation plan. After adding these two components to your parent participation plan, I suggest you notify each parent in writing of the revised Parent Participation Plan and have each parent sign an attestation statement of receipt or post the revised Parent Participation Plan in the classroom. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009, NC Pre-K program staff to child ratios and group sizes should be maintained at all times. During today’s visit upon my arrival to the classroom and for approximately an additional two minutes into the monitoring visit, I observed you supervising fifteen children ages four and five years of age. You stated the teacher assistant had to quickly leave the classroom to attend to personal care needs. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement when staff members need to leave the room to attend to personal care needs, I suggest you have Elizabeth Mosely, School Principal and Legal Designee for your facility, or another staff member on standby as an emergency substitute that can come in your classroom and cover for brief moments as needed. When securing this emergency substitute, be reminded that this person would need to have a Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter on file as well as meet the other staff record requirements for a substitute staff member and you would need to maintain a staff record file for that emergency substitute staff member. Due to the nature of the violation, I will make a follow-up visit to your facility in the near future. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. 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, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. On Friday, July 12, 2024, DCDEE sent a “Raise North Carolina” email blast announcing the signing of Senate Bill 425. The email contained a section entitled, “Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modernization” which provided updated information regarding the Rated License Reassessment process and approved extended stabilization grant funding. What does all this mean for child care in general? 1. The new QRIS Modifications and additional pathways will be added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ECCERS. ITERS and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission have already begun the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. 2. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Providers in any Cohort may voluntarily request a star rated license reassessment if they wish. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. 3. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers will need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. What does all this mean for facilities in Cohort 1? A facility may voluntarily request to complete the star rated license reassessment at any time but will not be required to complete the star rated license reassessment process this year. What does this mean for the Environmental Rating Scales? Please be reminded that if a facility voluntarily chooses to complete the star rated license reassessment AND chooses to complete one or more Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments, the ERS-revised editions will continue to be used until January 31, 2025. Any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. If you wish to VOLUNTARILY move forward with a rated license reassessment, please reach out to me as soon as possible so plans can be made on both our calendars to ensure ease and success with completing the star rated license reassessment process in a timely manner that benefits us both. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violation item number 840 because I documented in this visit summary the corrective actions taken today to correct this violation and I recorded the violation as corrected during today’s visit. 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. 1) 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 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 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 should receive your compliance letter no later than October 4, 2024. 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. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. 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. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

10A NCAC 09 .0302 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/29/2023 Number Present: 14 Completed Date: 11/29/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 185 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 11:45 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with the visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on April 18, 2023. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020, earning six points in education standards, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your program was also monitored for compliance with NC PreK requirements. Your center's compliance history was 98% as of November 28, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed your license posted as required. Your most recent fire inspection was dated October 25, 2023 and received in my office on November 16, 2023. I observed and cited one violation. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 6, 2023 with a Superior classification and four demerits. I made a copy of this sanitation inspection report during today’s visit. I completed a walk-through of your licensed indoor and outdoor spaces. I observed children participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines and eating lunch. I observed the teachers interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. I observed and cited no violations. I observed breakfast, lunch, and snack included on the posted current menu. You stated breakfast was prepared in the school cafeteria and served to the children in the classroom. I observed lunch including a choice of sausage, egg, and pancakes, or a toasted turkey and cheese sandwich, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, potato tots, orange slices, and unflavored milk prepared and served in the school cafeteria. I observed the milk stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I observed and cited no violations. I observed children adequately supervised, adequate approved enhanced space used, highest enhanced staff-child ratios, enhanced space capacities, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios minus one child per group”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, and “Meets enhanced space” maintained during today’s visit. I monitored program records including arrival and departure records, screen-time logs, monthly outdoor playground inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, incident log, and School Risk Management (SRM) Plan during today's visit. I observed and cited two violations. I monitored medication storage and administration during today’s visit. You stated no children enrolled in the classroom have medications that are taken at school. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored general safety both indoors and outdoors during today’s visit. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed two staff record files for new staff members assigned to your facility or hired since the last annual compliance visit. I reviewed staff record files for one returning staff member and one returning substitute to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, CPR training, and First Aid training. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan in your Newton-Conover City Schools Preschool Policy Handbook on October 20, 2022. Today, you stated the handbook had not been updated and therefore, no changes had been made to your written policies. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Elizabeth Mosely who is the school principal at South Newton Elementary School, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education with the school, and a family night. You stated you call or text the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 7:45am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2023 – 2024 school year. The following violations were observed and cited during today’s visit: 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 most recent fire inspection was dated 10/25/2023 but received on 11/16/2023. Since the fire inspection was received prior to this visit, this violation was corrected. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The arrival times for two children who arrived late were not recorded as the children arrived. The teacher recorded the arrival time for these two children. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A monthly playground inspection was not completed for May 2023. .0605(q) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 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 13, 2023. 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. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance: 1 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4), daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center should be maintained as children arrive and depart. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest the staff member receiving late children at the door also records the child’s arrival time on the sign in sheet. 2 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you or the administrator forward the fire inspection report to me as soon as it is received. 3 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), an outdoor playground inspection should be completed each month the program is in operation by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and recorded on the Monthly Outdoor Playground Inspection form. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you complete the outdoor inspection and record the inspection on the same date you complete the monthly fire drill. Consultation: 1 Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2 The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3 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, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 4 The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. While not an issue today, be sure a fence height of four feet is maintained as mulch is replaced or replenished. 6 While licensed child care programs operating in a Department of Instruction (DPI) building are allowed to keep Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letters off-site as long as the staff member is listed on the Public-School Off-Site Records Verification Staff form, best practice is to keep a copy of the CBC qualification letter in the staff member's records on-site. 7 Child care rule gives a facility 120 days to replace the administrator. The 120-day allowance for your facility expires December 29, 2023. 8 In order for me to complete the paperwork process and add Ms. Mosely as the new administrator of the program, Ms. Mosely needs to establish a WORKS account, upload her principal’s license, and request to be evaluated as a DPI administrator. Per Ms. Mosely’s request today, I checked the WORKS site again but did not see a WORKS account established for Ms. Mosely. 9 Please establish a WORKS account for Ms. Mosely and complete the education evaluation by December 29, 2023. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/29/2023 Number Present: 14 Completed Date: 11/29/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 185 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 11:45 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with the visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on April 18, 2023. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020, earning six points in education standards, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your program was also monitored for compliance with NC PreK requirements. Your center's compliance history was 98% as of November 28, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed your license posted as required. Your most recent fire inspection was dated October 25, 2023 and received in my office on November 16, 2023. I observed and cited one violation. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 6, 2023 with a Superior classification and four demerits. I made a copy of this sanitation inspection report during today’s visit. I completed a walk-through of your licensed indoor and outdoor spaces. I observed children participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines and eating lunch. I observed the teachers interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. I observed and cited no violations. I observed breakfast, lunch, and snack included on the posted current menu. You stated breakfast was prepared in the school cafeteria and served to the children in the classroom. I observed lunch including a choice of sausage, egg, and pancakes, or a toasted turkey and cheese sandwich, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, potato tots, orange slices, and unflavored milk prepared and served in the school cafeteria. I observed the milk stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I observed and cited no violations. I observed children adequately supervised, adequate approved enhanced space used, highest enhanced staff-child ratios, enhanced space capacities, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios minus one child per group”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, and “Meets enhanced space” maintained during today’s visit. I monitored program records including arrival and departure records, screen-time logs, monthly outdoor playground inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, incident log, and School Risk Management (SRM) Plan during today's visit. I observed and cited two violations. I monitored medication storage and administration during today’s visit. You stated no children enrolled in the classroom have medications that are taken at school. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored general safety both indoors and outdoors during today’s visit. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed two staff record files for new staff members assigned to your facility or hired since the last annual compliance visit. I reviewed staff record files for one returning staff member and one returning substitute to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, CPR training, and First Aid training. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan in your Newton-Conover City Schools Preschool Policy Handbook on October 20, 2022. Today, you stated the handbook had not been updated and therefore, no changes had been made to your written policies. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Elizabeth Mosely who is the school principal at South Newton Elementary School, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education with the school, and a family night. You stated you call or text the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 7:45am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2023 – 2024 school year. The following violations were observed and cited during today’s visit: 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 most recent fire inspection was dated 10/25/2023 but received on 11/16/2023. Since the fire inspection was received prior to this visit, this violation was corrected. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The arrival times for two children who arrived late were not recorded as the children arrived. The teacher recorded the arrival time for these two children. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A monthly playground inspection was not completed for May 2023. .0605(q) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 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 13, 2023. 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. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance: 1 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4), daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center should be maintained as children arrive and depart. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest the staff member receiving late children at the door also records the child’s arrival time on the sign in sheet. 2 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you or the administrator forward the fire inspection report to me as soon as it is received. 3 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), an outdoor playground inspection should be completed each month the program is in operation by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and recorded on the Monthly Outdoor Playground Inspection form. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you complete the outdoor inspection and record the inspection on the same date you complete the monthly fire drill. Consultation: 1 Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2 The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3 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, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 4 The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. While not an issue today, be sure a fence height of four feet is maintained as mulch is replaced or replenished. 6 While licensed child care programs operating in a Department of Instruction (DPI) building are allowed to keep Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letters off-site as long as the staff member is listed on the Public-School Off-Site Records Verification Staff form, best practice is to keep a copy of the CBC qualification letter in the staff member's records on-site. 7 Child care rule gives a facility 120 days to replace the administrator. The 120-day allowance for your facility expires December 29, 2023. 8 In order for me to complete the paperwork process and add Ms. Mosely as the new administrator of the program, Ms. Mosely needs to establish a WORKS account, upload her principal’s license, and request to be evaluated as a DPI administrator. Per Ms. Mosely’s request today, I checked the WORKS site again but did not see a WORKS account established for Ms. Mosely. 9 Please establish a WORKS account for Ms. Mosely and complete the education evaluation by December 29, 2023. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

10A NCAC 09 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: SOUTH NEWTON PRE-SCHOOL Facility ID: 18000553 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/29/2023 Number Present: 14 Completed Date: 11/29/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 185 Time In: 08:40 AM Time Out: 11:45 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. You, Jazmin Rangel, Lead Teacher, assisted me with the visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on April 18, 2023. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on January 30, 2020, earning six points in education standards, seven points in program standards, and one quality point for 75% of lead teachers having a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development. Your program was also monitored for compliance with NC PreK requirements. Your center's compliance history was 98% as of November 28, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. I observed your license posted as required. Your most recent fire inspection was dated October 25, 2023 and received in my office on November 16, 2023. I observed and cited one violation. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 6, 2023 with a Superior classification and four demerits. I made a copy of this sanitation inspection report during today’s visit. I completed a walk-through of your licensed indoor and outdoor spaces. I observed children participating in group time, free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines and eating lunch. I observed the teachers interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. I observed and cited no violations. I observed breakfast, lunch, and snack included on the posted current menu. You stated breakfast was prepared in the school cafeteria and served to the children in the classroom. I observed lunch including a choice of sausage, egg, and pancakes, or a toasted turkey and cheese sandwich, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, potato tots, orange slices, and unflavored milk prepared and served in the school cafeteria. I observed the milk stored in a milk cooler in the cafeteria at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I observed and cited no violations. I observed children adequately supervised, adequate approved enhanced space used, highest enhanced staff-child ratios, enhanced space capacities, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios minus one child per group”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, and “Meets enhanced space” maintained during today’s visit. I monitored program records including arrival and departure records, screen-time logs, monthly outdoor playground inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, incident log, and School Risk Management (SRM) Plan during today's visit. I observed and cited two violations. I monitored medication storage and administration during today’s visit. You stated no children enrolled in the classroom have medications that are taken at school. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored general safety both indoors and outdoors during today’s visit. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed two staff record files for new staff members assigned to your facility or hired since the last annual compliance visit. I reviewed staff record files for one returning staff member and one returning substitute to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, CPR training, and First Aid training. I observed and cited no violations. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan in your Newton-Conover City Schools Preschool Policy Handbook on October 20, 2022. Today, you stated the handbook had not been updated and therefore, no changes had been made to your written policies. I observed and cited no violations. I monitored NC PreK requirements during today’s visit. I observed the Administrator, Elizabeth Mosely who is the school principal at South Newton Elementary School, does not serve as the Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher in the classroom. I observed a 1 to 9 staff to child ratio maintained. I observed a maximum group size of no more than eighteen children. You stated you use DIAL-4 as the Formative Assessment tool and as the developmental screening tool. You stated you use Creative Curriculum as your approved curriculum. You stated your family engagement component includes formal and informal parent-teacher conferences, visits to the classroom, parent education with the school, and a family night. You stated you call or text the parent on the day of absence and at least by the third day of any child’s absence to inquire about the reason for the absence. You stated children enrolled in NC PreK attended your program from 7:45am to 3:00pm. You stated you have time outside the instructional day to participate in professional development and for planning and scheduling. You stated your NC PreK program follows the Newton-Conover City Schools calendar for the 2023 – 2024 school year. The following violations were observed and cited during today’s visit: 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 most recent fire inspection was dated 10/25/2023 but received on 11/16/2023. Since the fire inspection was received prior to this visit, this violation was corrected. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The arrival times for two children who arrived late were not recorded as the children arrived. The teacher recorded the arrival time for these two children. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A monthly playground inspection was not completed for May 2023. .0605(q) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. 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 13, 2023. 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. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. 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. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance: 1 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4), daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center should be maintained as children arrive and depart. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest the staff member receiving late children at the door also records the child’s arrival time on the sign in sheet. 2 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you or the administrator forward the fire inspection report to me as soon as it is received. 3 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), an outdoor playground inspection should be completed each month the program is in operation by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and recorded on the Monthly Outdoor Playground Inspection form. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you complete the outdoor inspection and record the inspection on the same date you complete the monthly fire drill. Consultation: 1 Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2 The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 3 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, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 4 The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5 Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i), the fence around each outdoor play space should measure four feet from the ground or the top of the mulch to the top of the fence. While not an issue today, be sure a fence height of four feet is maintained as mulch is replaced or replenished. 6 While licensed child care programs operating in a Department of Instruction (DPI) building are allowed to keep Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letters off-site as long as the staff member is listed on the Public-School Off-Site Records Verification Staff form, best practice is to keep a copy of the CBC qualification letter in the staff member's records on-site. 7 Child care rule gives a facility 120 days to replace the administrator. The 120-day allowance for your facility expires December 29, 2023. 8 In order for me to complete the paperwork process and add Ms. Mosely as the new administrator of the program, Ms. Mosely needs to establish a WORKS account, upload her principal’s license, and request to be evaluated as a DPI administrator. Per Ms. Mosely’s request today, I checked the WORKS site again but did not see a WORKS account established for Ms. Mosely. 9 Please establish a WORKS account for Ms. Mosely and complete the education evaluation by December 29, 2023. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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