10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Facility ID: 96000468 Consultant: TINA JONES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/6/2026 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 1/6/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:00 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 compliance during an annual compliance visit. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. The staff/training worksheets were received during the visit. Today’s visit was completed with J. Seabrooks, lead teacher and Administrator, K. Holland. Kimberly Barnes, child care consultant accompanied me on today’s visit. Currently this center operates with a Five Star License, issued April 29, 2022, earning 7 points in the Education Component, 7 points in the Program Component and 1 Quality point using the Education Option that 75% of all lead teachers have a BA/BS degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. This program consists of one (1) NC Pre-K classroom, located on a public -school campus. NC Pre-K monitoring will be completed during the Routine Unannounced visit. The last Annual Compliance visit was completed on January 8, 2025. The last sanitation inspection was completed on September 11, 2025, with a superior rating. The last fire inspection was completed on May 5, 2025. Prior to today’s visit, the facility earned a Compliance History score of 98% over an 18 - month time- period. A copy of the compliance history was provided to you. Children were observed participating in group activities, free play in centers, circle time, completing transitions, and completing routines such as handwashing and toileting. The staff interacted in a nurturing and caring manner. Adequate materials were available. PRESERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATOR: Ms. Holland is the new administrator for this facility as of October 1, 2025. I provided the documentation for Ms. Holland to complete and return. Once this documentation has been completed and returned, I will then key Ms. Holland as the new administrator. I used the Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers and the Child Care Center Item Number Listing (DCD 0357) as a basic monitoring tool to assess compliance with all applicable child care requirements. A computer-generated visit summary, including all documented violations, was reviewed with you and a copy was provided to you at the conclusion of the visit. The following violations of a child care requirements were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In the outdoor environment, a wooden bench was cracked causing a pinching hazard. A plastic play house structure has cracks forming and holes that had sharp edges. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. A closet door was not kept locked. Inside the closet was washing detergent and cleaner. .2820(b) CONSULTATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND RULE REMINDERS: Violations documented above must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be mailed or emailed to me by January 20, 2026, describing how and when the violations were corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. This two-week time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance letter and is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. The letter of compliance should be mailed or emailed to me, Tina Jones, PO Box 10194, Goldsboro, NC 27532. The compliance letter must be submitted from the email address on file for your program. If you have any questions related to this visit or if I can be of additional assistance, I can be reached at 252-361-3434 or tina.jones@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also contact Susan Fuller, Licensing Supervisor, at 252-373-9809. Please be aware that any written information submitted by your regarding correction of violations documented is legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with the applicable laws and rules; always whether they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to ensure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care laws and rules on the Division of Child Development and Early Education’s website. DCDEE WORKS: Please continue to keep your Staff and Training worksheets up to date. Update the worksheets when changes are made, such as hiring new staff, additional coursework, and completed training. We discussed that you have several staff members that are not in WORKS. If the education information is not in the “WORKS” system when the star-rated license is reassessed it could affect the points in Education Standards. Please contact the WORKS department if you have questions on what is needed. The information is below 919-814-6350 or dcdee.works@dhhs.nc.gov. QUALIFYING LETTER: Administrator, K. Holland did not have the qualifying letter on file for review. We discussed the requirement of the qualifying letter being on site and available for review. Ms. Holland stated she was having issues with the NCID and was working on printing the letter. I verified the qualifying letter was current in the ABCMS system. QRIS – PATHWAY TO THE STARS: The Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) is excited to share information about the July 2025 child care rule changes. The Child Care Commission adopted rules to support QRIS modernization. The new section, .3200, provides the standards for earning a two-though five-star-rated license. There are three pathways: program assessment, classroom and instructional quality, and accreditation and head start. To support the QRIS changes, additional rules were amended within the following sections: definitions, developmental day services, and NC Pre-Kindergarten services. We will assist as you begin to review the changes, but please note some of the rule changes may not impact your facility. DCDEE has provided a summary of the changes, but for specific details regarding these changes, please ensure you are using the updated July 1, 2025, rule book, and view information in the DCDEE Moodle. If you are unfamiliar with the Child Care Rule Rollout within Moodle and how to navigate, please visit: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Learning-Resources/How-to-Navigate-Moodle. Today we discussed the three pathways available. You stated that Pathway 2, Classroom and Instructional Quality may be the best option for your program, at this time. You stated that your goal is to become accredited. We reviewed the requirements for this pathway and discussed a timeline to apply for a rated license reassessment. We reviewed that the goal is to apply for the rated license by March of 2026. ELIFT – Early Learning Instruction for Teachers: Choose from over 100 courses available on-demand, live/virtual, and in-person with flexible payment options, including individual memberships, group memberships, and single courses from $5! Early Learning Academies, Training for High School CTE programs, Pre-Apprenticeships, and ApprenticeshipNC are also available. For more information, visit the Southwestern Child Development Commission Website at https://www.swcdcinc.org/ or email darby.karen@swcdcinc.org or elift@swcdcinc.org. FREE ADULT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING Be prepared to support those around you by getting certified in Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help. In the free course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Offered by UNC School of Social Work and the NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education. To register visit: https://ncmhfa.unc.edu/adult-mhfa-for-child-development-and-early-educators/ For a list of trainings and dates, visit https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:1e43735b-e609-414f-a946-ef316e09edae For Questions Please Email nccommunitymhfa@ssw.unc.edu PROVIDER DOCUMENTS/FORMS: You should visit the website often to ensure you’re using all updated forms. All requirements must be included if you choose to use your own forms electronically or hard copy. The NC child care rules were last updated as of July 1, 2025. • The most current provider documents/ forms, checklists, resources related to child care, MOODLE trainings, and new child care requirements can be found on the Division of Child Development and Early Education website. https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov • NC Child Care Health & Safety Resource Center www.healthychildcare.unc.edu. 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