10A NCAC 09 .0302 · Violation

Name of Operation: STARTOWN PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 18000334 Consultant: MERIA WILDER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/12/2025 Number Present: 17 Completed Date: 11/12/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 01:45 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 during a routine unannounced visit. You, Shannon Surratte, Lead Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. Your last annual compliance visit was conducted on April 2, 2025. Prior to today’s visit your compliance history score was 100%. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. Required postings were posted as required at the entrance to the facility. Your facility operates with the following permit restrictions: daytime care only, meets enhanced space, meets enhanced ratios, reduced staff/child ratio by 1 child per group, meets enhanced space & ratios, Certified Developmental Day, and age range extended to 14 yrs old. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on June 25, 2019, earning seven (7) points in staff education, seven (7) points in program standards and one (1) quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parent involvement. A walkthrough of your indoor and outdoor spaces was conducted, and I observed children to be participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, supper and personal care routines. Teacher interactions with children were positive and nurturing. Daily sign in/out sheets and attendance was current/accurate. Supervision, staff-child ratios, adequate/approved space, storage of medication, medication administration, storage of hazardous substances, and permit restrictions were monitored. I monitored one (1) medication, one (1) medication permission to administer form and one (1) Medical Action Plan. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals which was served, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Today your incident report log and outdoor safety inspections were monitored and documented as required. I received your current 2025 – 2026 staff/parent handbooks on August 20, 2025, and it included: written operational, administrative, personnel policies and your parent participation plan in. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed. Your most recent fire drill was conducted on October 29, 2025, and your most recent shelter in place emergency drill was conducted on October 16, 2025, and has been completed quarterly. Your most recent fire inspection was completed on June 12, 2025. Your most recent sanitation inspection was completed on September 30, 2025, with a superior classification. I monitored your 2025 - 2026 Startown Elementary School (SRM) School Risk Management plan. You stated that your program does not provide transportation or screen time. Staff records for one (1) new staff member and two (2) returning staff members were monitored today to verify current Criminal Background Check qualification letters, CPR, First Aid, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment, ABCMS enrollment, special trainings and Health and Safety training. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. The NC Pre-K Program Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance. The current NC PreK staff includes the lead teacher, Shannon Surratte, and the teacher, Lauren Hatfield. A selection of files was monitored for having completed health assessments and developmental screenings. You stated you use the ASQ as the developmental screening tool. The center uses the Teaching Strategies Gold as the formative assessment to document evidence of children's ongoing progress. Checkpoint assessments are conducted three times per year: at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. The NC Pre K program operates Monday – Friday during the hours of 8:15 am to 3:15 pm and follow the Catawba County Schools calendar for the 2025 – 2026 school year. During today’s visit I monitored your program for all health and safety requirements. The following violation was cited during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. There was no documentation of safe arrival and departure procedures available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. • There was no documentation of safe arrival and departure procedures available for review. As discussed, safe arrival and departure procedures must be posted for parents to see. I suggest reviewing the safe arrival and departure procedures template that is listed on the DCDEE’s website under provider documents then under the centers tab. Be sure to use the template as a guide to personalizing arrival and departure procedures according to your facility needs/schedule. CONSULTATION: • QRIS Information: On October 23, 2025, I met with JR Sigmon, Administrator, to discuss the QRIS Pathways to the Stars. During this meeting JR and I reviewed the 3 pathway choice options that are available and discussed the pathway option that would best fit this facility. JR stated that he is planning for this facility to complete Pathway 2 and will is preparing to begin the process before January 2026. During this meeting we reviewed all of the required documents that will be required, resources that are available including the Catawba County Resource and Referral Agency, NCRLAP and the QRIS Modernization webpage on the DCDEE website. JR stated that he does not foresee any barriers to completing this pathway successfully within the required timeframe. During today’s visit, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. We covered staff education (including ensuring all staff have WORKS accounts, understanding the 50% requirement for lead teachers and for other educators, and how work experience may count), enhanced ratios and space expectations, the Family and Community Engagement Foundational Practices, and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plans. Please visit the following link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/StarRated-License/QRIS-Modernization. You will find more information and details about the three different pathways so that your program can begin working towards the star rated license. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: Next Steps by Pathway If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Begin planning for your three-month self-study using the applicable ITERS-3, ECERS-3, SACERS-U, OR FCCERS-3 books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Access resources, training, and outreach via ncrlap.org. • Work with CCR&R or Smart Start for support in preparation. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • If four-year-olds are enrolled, select and implement an approved curriculum. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum and formative assessment tool for all ages.) • Arranging coaching or training options for administrators and lead teachers. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Ensure all staff have active WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three-star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. • DCDEE Resources - Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. - Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License - Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development - Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings - Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy - DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New • Child Care facilities must enroll in the lead in water testing, lead based paint testing and Asbestos testing through Clean Water for US Kids. The following link will take you to the website to enroll https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. o Please be reminded that this facility is due for the Clean Water for US Kids lead/water testing per the three (3) year requirement in child care rule. • Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to the Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. • Fire inspections are to be sent to the consultant within 7 business days of the inspection being completed. If the fire inspection report is not sent to the consultant within 7 business days a violation will be cited at the next monitoring visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you or the school principal forward the email containing the fire inspection report to me when you receive it from the fire inspector. • When reviewing Staff Files, Children’s Files, and Program Records, utilize the Staff Files Checklist, Children’s File Checklist, Volunteer Files Checklist and the Program Records File Checklist to ensure that you are maintaining compliance with all of the files that are monitored by DCDEE and that all of the documents within those files are current, accurate and relevant. These forms should be updated annually with staff files, children’s records and program record documents to ensure that all information stored in your facilities files are current and accurate prior to DCDEE monitoring visits. These file checklists can be found on the DCDEE website under provider documents. • 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. • WORKS STATUS LETTER: Child Care Rule .0703(c) Within six months of an individual assuming lead teacher or child care administrator duties, each center shall maintain the following information in the individual's staff record, a copy of notification from the Division that the individual meets the equivalency or that the individual does not meet the equivalency and must enroll in coursework. 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. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters and acknowledgement statements. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than October 26, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: meria.wilder@dhhs.nc.gov When emailing the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (980) 434-3877 or by email at meria.wilder@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time and assistance today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .3009 · Violation

Name of Operation: STARTOWN PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 18000334 Consultant: MERIA WILDER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/12/2025 Number Present: 17 Completed Date: 11/12/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 01:45 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 during a routine unannounced visit. You, Shannon Surratte, Lead Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. Your last annual compliance visit was conducted on April 2, 2025. Prior to today’s visit your compliance history score was 100%. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. Required postings were posted as required at the entrance to the facility. Your facility operates with the following permit restrictions: daytime care only, meets enhanced space, meets enhanced ratios, reduced staff/child ratio by 1 child per group, meets enhanced space & ratios, Certified Developmental Day, and age range extended to 14 yrs old. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on June 25, 2019, earning seven (7) points in staff education, seven (7) points in program standards and one (1) quality point for having a staff benefits package and an infrastructure of parent involvement. A walkthrough of your indoor and outdoor spaces was conducted, and I observed children to be participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, supper and personal care routines. Teacher interactions with children were positive and nurturing. Daily sign in/out sheets and attendance was current/accurate. Supervision, staff-child ratios, adequate/approved space, storage of medication, medication administration, storage of hazardous substances, and permit restrictions were monitored. I monitored one (1) medication, one (1) medication permission to administer form and one (1) Medical Action Plan. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals which was served, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Today your incident report log and outdoor safety inspections were monitored and documented as required. I received your current 2025 – 2026 staff/parent handbooks on August 20, 2025, and it included: written operational, administrative, personnel policies and your parent participation plan in. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed. Your most recent fire drill was conducted on October 29, 2025, and your most recent shelter in place emergency drill was conducted on October 16, 2025, and has been completed quarterly. Your most recent fire inspection was completed on June 12, 2025. Your most recent sanitation inspection was completed on September 30, 2025, with a superior classification. I monitored your 2025 - 2026 Startown Elementary School (SRM) School Risk Management plan. You stated that your program does not provide transportation or screen time. Staff records for one (1) new staff member and two (2) returning staff members were monitored today to verify current Criminal Background Check qualification letters, CPR, First Aid, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment, ABCMS enrollment, special trainings and Health and Safety training. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. The NC Pre-K Program Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance. The current NC PreK staff includes the lead teacher, Shannon Surratte, and the teacher, Lauren Hatfield. A selection of files was monitored for having completed health assessments and developmental screenings. You stated you use the ASQ as the developmental screening tool. The center uses the Teaching Strategies Gold as the formative assessment to document evidence of children's ongoing progress. Checkpoint assessments are conducted three times per year: at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. The NC Pre K program operates Monday – Friday during the hours of 8:15 am to 3:15 pm and follow the Catawba County Schools calendar for the 2025 – 2026 school year. During today’s visit I monitored your program for all health and safety requirements. The following violation was cited during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. There was no documentation of safe arrival and departure procedures available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past eighteen (18) months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. • There was no documentation of safe arrival and departure procedures available for review. As discussed, safe arrival and departure procedures must be posted for parents to see. I suggest reviewing the safe arrival and departure procedures template that is listed on the DCDEE’s website under provider documents then under the centers tab. Be sure to use the template as a guide to personalizing arrival and departure procedures according to your facility needs/schedule. CONSULTATION: • QRIS Information: On October 23, 2025, I met with JR Sigmon, Administrator, to discuss the QRIS Pathways to the Stars. During this meeting JR and I reviewed the 3 pathway choice options that are available and discussed the pathway option that would best fit this facility. JR stated that he is planning for this facility to complete Pathway 2 and will is preparing to begin the process before January 2026. During this meeting we reviewed all of the required documents that will be required, resources that are available including the Catawba County Resource and Referral Agency, NCRLAP and the QRIS Modernization webpage on the DCDEE website. JR stated that he does not foresee any barriers to completing this pathway successfully within the required timeframe. During today’s visit, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. We covered staff education (including ensuring all staff have WORKS accounts, understanding the 50% requirement for lead teachers and for other educators, and how work experience may count), enhanced ratios and space expectations, the Family and Community Engagement Foundational Practices, and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plans. Please visit the following link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/StarRated-License/QRIS-Modernization. You will find more information and details about the three different pathways so that your program can begin working towards the star rated license. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: Next Steps by Pathway If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Complete the “Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) Assessment Request” form electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Begin planning for your three-month self-study using the applicable ITERS-3, ECERS-3, SACERS-U, OR FCCERS-3 books. • Prepare for Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. • Access resources, training, and outreach via ncrlap.org. • Work with CCR&R or Smart Start for support in preparation. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • If four-year-olds are enrolled, select and implement an approved curriculum. If you choose Pathway 2: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Confirm all staff have active WORKS accounts. • Complete the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet electronically. • Identify CQI goals and begin planning for implementation. • Develop strategies for Family and Community Engagement. • Select and implement a curriculum. (4- and 5-star centers must use an approved curriculum and formative assessment tool for all ages.) • Arranging coaching or training options for administrators and lead teachers. If you choose Pathway 3: • Complete the “Application for Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant. • Ensure all staff have active WORKS accounts. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC, you may earn a three-star rated license with NO Education standards evaluation. • If you are accredited through NAFCC, NECPA, AMS, or IMC and would like to earn a four or five star rated license, the Education standard evaluation will determine the star rating earned. • If you are accredited through NAEYC, NAC, COGNIA, or your facility is Head Start and/or Early Head Start Education, NO Education standards evaluation is needed. • Documentation of accreditation status and Head Start designation must be submitted to process your star rated license. • DCDEE Resources - Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. - Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License - Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development - Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings - Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy - DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New • Child Care facilities must enroll in the lead in water testing, lead based paint testing and Asbestos testing through Clean Water for US Kids. The following link will take you to the website to enroll https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. o Please be reminded that this facility is due for the Clean Water for US Kids lead/water testing per the three (3) year requirement in child care rule. • Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to the Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. • Fire inspections are to be sent to the consultant within 7 business days of the inspection being completed. If the fire inspection report is not sent to the consultant within 7 business days a violation will be cited at the next monitoring visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you or the school principal forward the email containing the fire inspection report to me when you receive it from the fire inspector. • When reviewing Staff Files, Children’s Files, and Program Records, utilize the Staff Files Checklist, Children’s File Checklist, Volunteer Files Checklist and the Program Records File Checklist to ensure that you are maintaining compliance with all of the files that are monitored by DCDEE and that all of the documents within those files are current, accurate and relevant. These forms should be updated annually with staff files, children’s records and program record documents to ensure that all information stored in your facilities files are current and accurate prior to DCDEE monitoring visits. These file checklists can be found on the DCDEE website under provider documents. • 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. • WORKS STATUS LETTER: Child Care Rule .0703(c) Within six months of an individual assuming lead teacher or child care administrator duties, each center shall maintain the following information in the individual's staff record, a copy of notification from the Division that the individual meets the equivalency or that the individual does not meet the equivalency and must enroll in coursework. 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. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters and acknowledgement statements. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than October 26, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: meria.wilder@dhhs.nc.gov When emailing the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (980) 434-3877 or by email at meria.wilder@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time and assistance today. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: STARTOWN PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 18000334 Consultant: MERIA WILDER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/21/2023 Number Present: 20 Completed Date: 9/21/2023 Age: From 4 To 11 Total Minutes: 262 Time In: 10:08 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance during an annual compliance visit. You, Natalie Deal, Teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. Jeremy Ross, Developmental Day Teacher, and Savannah Caldwell, Developmental Day Teacher, also assisted me today. Upon arrival, the preschool children in classroom #302, were outside on the playground. The NCPK classroom had a variety of age-appropriate toys and equipment available for the children to use. All classroom postings were observed on the walls and bulletin boards beside the classroom entrance or inside the classroom for review. Prior to today's visit your programs compliance history score was 77%. The NC PreK classroom has one Exceptional Children (EC) child enrolled. The classroom was monitored for all NCPK requirements. NCPK requirements were in compliance today. Outdoor areas were monitored today with no violations observed. In spaces #508 and #509 identified as school age Developmental Day Certified, I observed the children having lunch in the cafeteria. Upon the children arriving to the classroom they transition from personal care routines to doing educational activities based on each child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The classrooms had a variety of educational materials and equipment available for use. The children in both room 508 and room 509 operated as one classroom today to prepare for the transition to both classrooms combining into one classroom tomorrow until further notice. In room 508 and room 509 all required classroom postings were observed on the walls and bulletin boards beside the classroom entrance or inside the classroom for review. Two staff bathrooms on the 500 hall were unlocked with an open door and each bathroom contained one can of aerosol air freshener and one can of aerosol disinfectant spray. The two aerosol cans in each bathroom were not in locked storage and was below five vertical feet off the floor. Please place the aerosol disinfectants and all other products that are labeled “keep out of the reach of children” and/or that have any additional warnings on the label in locked storage. Locked storage is defined as being secured with a lock using a key, combination, or magnetic device. The liquid hand sanitizer can be kept on a shelf or in an unlocked cabinet. The teacher in room 302 stated there were no medications in this space. The teachers in room 508 and room 509 stated there were no medications in this space. Staff and training worksheets, fire and sanitation inspections were sent to me by email prior to today’s visit. Three staff files were monitored during today's visit. The staff files that were monitored were two new staff and one existing staff. Four Children’s Records were monitored during today’s visit. Two children’s records were monitored from the developmental day classroom and two children’s records from the NC PreK classroom were monitored during today’s visit. The last fire inspection was completed on September 19, 2023. The last sanitation inspection was completed on May 1, 2023. The latest fire drill was recorded as being completed on August 31, 2023. A Shelter in Place Drill was completed on August 31, 2023. Outdoor inspections were completed as required. The following violations were observed and discussed with you today: 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. Two unlocked staff bathrooms on the 500 hall with open entry doors had one aerosol can of disinfectant spray and one aerosol can of air freshener in each bathroom. .2820(b) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member in the NC PreK classroom did not have a signed and dated acknowledgement of review of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma Policy. .0608(d)(1-4) 1890 Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file. One staff member in the developmental day classroom did not store the health questionnaire form in a separate file from the staff personnel file. .0701(d) Comments: Technical Assistance: - All medical forms for staff must be placed in a separate file upon hire and maintained away from the staff personnel records. - The Prevention of the Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff and must include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. - All cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures must be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet including in vehicles being used to transport children enrolled in the child care center. Due to all violations that were cited during today’s visit being corrected today a compliance letter will not need to be sent to me. Consultation: Your facility is in Cohort two for the Star Rated License Assessment. Therefore, your prep year is from July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. Please ensure that all staff have education and BSAC credentials up to date and in WORKS. Your assessment year will be July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026. Compliance History: Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed you a copy of today’s visit summary. Please feel free to contact me 980-434-3877 by phone or Erin Pickard, Lead Child Care Consultant, at erin.Pickard@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. My contact information is: Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant PO Box 6591 Statesville, NC 28677 Meria.wilder@dhhs.nc.gov If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.