Cottontails Preschool

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: Cottontails Preschool Facility ID: 92004075 Consultant: LEANNE SIMPKINS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/24/2026 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 2/24/2026 Age: From 0 To 6 Total Minutes: 181 Time In: 12:39 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to complete the first monitoring visit during the first 6 months of operation after an ownership change. A temporary license was issued February 8, 2026 through August 8, 2026. The license allows 60 children aged 0-12 on first and second shifts. Children under 2.5 years old must in rooms with direct exits to the outside of the building. Today’s visit was completed with Niaijah Honeycutt, assistant director. Nancy Lee, center director had just left the center before I arrived. I confirmed that the temporary license, safe arrival and departure procedures, first aid reference chart, menu, emergency telephone numbers and the NC Summary of the law were posted. The emergency medical care plan needs to be updated to show current information. The previous owner was listed as a dedicated person for all of the responsibilities listed on the form. I reviewed five children’s records and completed a children’s records checklist to document files reviewed. Two children were missing a medical. A medical is required to be on file within 30 days of enrollment. You can ask parents to provide the medical on the first day to avoid violations when the information is not received within the 30 days. Seven staff files were reviewed during the visit. Staff and training worksheets were not completed. Work on completing the staff and training worksheets virtually so they are always current and can be printed to verify information. Two teachers did not have a medical on file prior to employment. Two teachers had a TB test on file, however, they both were more than a year old before they were employed. Ensure that employees have the medical and TB test on file prior to employment and that both are less than a year old. If more than a year old, they need to be updated and the employee cannot work until it is on file. All employees were missing the sign off that they received a copy of the center policies. I monitored three classrooms for staff/child ratios, group sizes, capacity, supervision, interactions, discipline, materials, program records, postings and health and safety. Teachers were using the sign in and sign out sheets for attendance and head count sheets. Infants: One infant under age one was present today. Safe sleep checks were current. Feeding schedules were current for 4 infants under age one and one other child that will be 15-months-old March 12, 2026. Once a child turns 15 months old, a feeding schedule is not required. Materials were present for books, blocks, dolls/soft toys, sensory toys, fine motor, dramatic play and musical toys. Art materials were stated to be provided but not left out. The safe sleep policy and safe sleep poster were observed posted in the classroom for infants. Two diaper creams were observed to have all required information for permission to apply from parents. Bottles were labeled and dated. The refrigerator thermometer showed 40 degrees. One thermometer was thrown out during the visit because it was showing 50 degrees. One crib was removed from the classroom for infants during the visit. The date of manufacture was 1987 so it did not meet the federal requirements for full size or compact cribs. One evacuation crib was located near the door. The fire evacuation kit was added to an existing crib. There were no labels on the crib to confirm the date of manufacture. The teacher in the classroom is scheduled to complete ITS-SIDS training next Thursday. No one with current ITS-SIDS training was with her caring for the children during today's visit. The assistant director stated that she is with her part of the day but not all day. The teacher that did not have ITS-SIDS training left at 3pm for the day, and another teacher went to the classroom. This teacher had current ITS-SIDS training. Preschool: The children were observed having snack and having circle time with the teacher while she read a book. Other children were waking up from nap, using the restroom and washing hands. The teachers were interacting with the children in a positive manner. No concerns with the outdoor play area. A fence was added to separate the play area for infants and toddlers from the play area for preschool age children. I will measure the space during the next monitoring visit. A fire drill was completed today at 9:22am. Based on documentation, it took 1 minute and 45 seconds for 13 children and 4 adults to exit the building. An outdoor play area inspection was completed during today’s visit. Reminders: Building, fire and sanitation inspections will need to be updated before the end of the temporary license time frame. ABCMS: I will email instructions with steps to complete the ABCMS portal set up and link employees. WORKS: I will verify staff education in WORKS and will let you know if any additional information is needed. QRIS: We can review QRIS requirements virtually. Technical assistance: Best practice to have all staff to complete ITS-SIDS training prior to employment instead of waiting until after employment. Create a way to double check children's files and staff files to ensure all information is on file when required. It may take two people to review the paperwork and the files to ensure all information is present. Violation Number Comment Rule 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees did not have a medical on file prior to employment. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two teachers had a TB test on file that was more than a year old. .0701(a) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. Two children did not have a medical on file within 30 days of enrollment. GS110-91(1) 1831 At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. A teacher did not have ITS-SIDS training and no one with ITS-SIDS training was with the teacher. .01102 (f) The violations cited during today’s visit must be corrected immediately. Email me a corrective action letter that addresses the violations, the date the violation was corrected and how the violation was corrected. I should receive the letter within 2 weeks of today's visit. (by March 10, 2026) If you need more time, let me know. Include information about how you plan to prevent repeat violations in the future. Feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or assistance. I may be reached at 919-819-9386 or email LeAnne.Simpkins@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

GS110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Cottontails Preschool Facility ID: 92004075 Consultant: LEANNE SIMPKINS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/24/2026 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 2/24/2026 Age: From 0 To 6 Total Minutes: 181 Time In: 12:39 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to complete the first monitoring visit during the first 6 months of operation after an ownership change. A temporary license was issued February 8, 2026 through August 8, 2026. The license allows 60 children aged 0-12 on first and second shifts. Children under 2.5 years old must in rooms with direct exits to the outside of the building. Today’s visit was completed with Niaijah Honeycutt, assistant director. Nancy Lee, center director had just left the center before I arrived. I confirmed that the temporary license, safe arrival and departure procedures, first aid reference chart, menu, emergency telephone numbers and the NC Summary of the law were posted. The emergency medical care plan needs to be updated to show current information. The previous owner was listed as a dedicated person for all of the responsibilities listed on the form. I reviewed five children’s records and completed a children’s records checklist to document files reviewed. Two children were missing a medical. A medical is required to be on file within 30 days of enrollment. You can ask parents to provide the medical on the first day to avoid violations when the information is not received within the 30 days. Seven staff files were reviewed during the visit. Staff and training worksheets were not completed. Work on completing the staff and training worksheets virtually so they are always current and can be printed to verify information. Two teachers did not have a medical on file prior to employment. Two teachers had a TB test on file, however, they both were more than a year old before they were employed. Ensure that employees have the medical and TB test on file prior to employment and that both are less than a year old. If more than a year old, they need to be updated and the employee cannot work until it is on file. All employees were missing the sign off that they received a copy of the center policies. I monitored three classrooms for staff/child ratios, group sizes, capacity, supervision, interactions, discipline, materials, program records, postings and health and safety. Teachers were using the sign in and sign out sheets for attendance and head count sheets. Infants: One infant under age one was present today. Safe sleep checks were current. Feeding schedules were current for 4 infants under age one and one other child that will be 15-months-old March 12, 2026. Once a child turns 15 months old, a feeding schedule is not required. Materials were present for books, blocks, dolls/soft toys, sensory toys, fine motor, dramatic play and musical toys. Art materials were stated to be provided but not left out. The safe sleep policy and safe sleep poster were observed posted in the classroom for infants. Two diaper creams were observed to have all required information for permission to apply from parents. Bottles were labeled and dated. The refrigerator thermometer showed 40 degrees. One thermometer was thrown out during the visit because it was showing 50 degrees. One crib was removed from the classroom for infants during the visit. The date of manufacture was 1987 so it did not meet the federal requirements for full size or compact cribs. One evacuation crib was located near the door. The fire evacuation kit was added to an existing crib. There were no labels on the crib to confirm the date of manufacture. The teacher in the classroom is scheduled to complete ITS-SIDS training next Thursday. No one with current ITS-SIDS training was with her caring for the children during today's visit. The assistant director stated that she is with her part of the day but not all day. The teacher that did not have ITS-SIDS training left at 3pm for the day, and another teacher went to the classroom. This teacher had current ITS-SIDS training. Preschool: The children were observed having snack and having circle time with the teacher while she read a book. Other children were waking up from nap, using the restroom and washing hands. The teachers were interacting with the children in a positive manner. No concerns with the outdoor play area. A fence was added to separate the play area for infants and toddlers from the play area for preschool age children. I will measure the space during the next monitoring visit. A fire drill was completed today at 9:22am. Based on documentation, it took 1 minute and 45 seconds for 13 children and 4 adults to exit the building. An outdoor play area inspection was completed during today’s visit. Reminders: Building, fire and sanitation inspections will need to be updated before the end of the temporary license time frame. ABCMS: I will email instructions with steps to complete the ABCMS portal set up and link employees. WORKS: I will verify staff education in WORKS and will let you know if any additional information is needed. QRIS: We can review QRIS requirements virtually. Technical assistance: Best practice to have all staff to complete ITS-SIDS training prior to employment instead of waiting until after employment. Create a way to double check children's files and staff files to ensure all information is on file when required. It may take two people to review the paperwork and the files to ensure all information is present. Violation Number Comment Rule 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees did not have a medical on file prior to employment. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. Two teachers had a TB test on file that was more than a year old. .0701(a) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. Two children did not have a medical on file within 30 days of enrollment. GS110-91(1) 1831 At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. A teacher did not have ITS-SIDS training and no one with ITS-SIDS training was with the teacher. .01102 (f) The violations cited during today’s visit must be corrected immediately. Email me a corrective action letter that addresses the violations, the date the violation was corrected and how the violation was corrected. I should receive the letter within 2 weeks of today's visit. (by March 10, 2026) If you need more time, let me know. Include information about how you plan to prevent repeat violations in the future. Feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or assistance. I may be reached at 919-819-9386 or email LeAnne.Simpkins@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