10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: LA PETITE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92002247 Consultant: MICHELE HIRSCH Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0725-162L Visit Date: 7/15/2025 Number Present: 60 Completed Date: 7/15/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 69 Time In: 09:37 AM Time Out: 10:46 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor for compliance with NC law as well as to investigate allegations related to child care requirements. When I arrived, I was greeted by the assistant director, Tarika Mason and center staff. I arrived at the program at 9:37 am. Upon arrival I reviewed the complaint and informed you that staff interviews needed to be conducted. Allegation #1: There are allegations related to safe environments. Based on supplemental information there are concerns regarding safe environment. As noted in the report, a serious incident occurred on July 8th, 2025, at La Petite Academy at 6601 Pleasant Pines Drive, where there was confrontation between teachers in a classroom where children were in attendance. I interviewed two of the staff members named in the report as well as the assistant director. Three additional staff (N.H., T.U, T.R.) involved are on administrative leave while corporate, the district manager, along with the center’s administrative staff, do their own investigation and make decisions. The allegation referred to a concern regarding the safe environment and the information shared named Ms. N.H, Ms. T.R., and Ms. T.U., the teachers involved. Ms. E and Ms. T.P were witnesses, and Ms. Tarika Mason was the administrator on-site and she intervened during the incident. Ms. Tarika stated that the first incident occurred on the morning of 7/8/25. Ms. T.R., a floater, entered the kitchen and had taken a snack without asking Ms. T.P, the cook, if it was okay. Ms. Tarika discussed the matter with Ms. T.R, the floater, who seemed receptive to the conversation and requests to ask for a snack/food so Ms. T.P. can keep track of food/supplies in the kitchen. The conversation appeared to have ended on a positive note. At 8:30 am, Ms. Tarika, administrator, was at the front desk and heard a teacher yell 9-1-1 and thought it concerned an injured child and went running down to the classroom (PreK). When she opened the door, she observed five staff in the classroom: Ms. T.P (cook), Ms. N.H, (teacher who opens PreK in the morning), Ms. E (PreK teacher), Ms. T.R., floater and Ms. T.U, teacher. A loud verbal altercation was taking place between two staff (Ms. N and Ms. T.U). Both were, raising their voices and displaying hostility towards one another. Eight children were present in the classroom. Ms Tarika asked all parties to calm down, reminding them that this behavior was unprofessional and inappropriate in front of children. At that moment Ms. N still visibly upset, yelled at Ms. Tarika stating she did not care about the children, and Ms. Tarika responded, “excuse me” to deescalate the situation and redirect the conversation back to a professional level. To prevent further disruption and maintain a safe and calm environment Ms. E escorted Ms. N out of the classroom to the outside playground. Ms. Tarika Mason, an administrator, and Ms. T the cook remained in the classroom. Ms E was a witness because she works in this classroom; Ms TP was a witness because she saw the argument from the kitchen window within the classroom and entered the classroom to assist. Ms. E and Ms. T.P. (cook) were interviewed together, and they informed me of the following: Ms. T. U, teacher, and Ms. T. R, floater (related), entered the PreK classroom. Ms. T.U, teacher confronted Ms. N.H. Ms. T.U thought Ms. N.H. had reported her daughter, Ms. T.R. for taking snack from the kitchen. Ms. N.H was unaware of what the purpose of the confrontation laughed and asked what she was referring to. Ms. T.U. began yelling and making inappropriate personal comments to Ms. N.H. Ms. T.U continued to yell at Ms. N.H and became physically confrontational by moving aggressively towards Ms. N. H’s face and making hostile remarks that were personal and proceeded to threaten physical violence and saying, “we can go outside”. During the confrontation, Ms. T.R, the floater, stood by and did not engage. Ms. Tarika shared written documentation collected during internal interviews with all staff present. Ms. E. Ms. T.P and TU, TR and NH, the three staff were sent home and placed on administrative leave. Written statements from TU and TR stated that TU was calm throughout the conversation and both indicated it was NH who was aggressive and stated, “they can go outside”. The statement from NU, Ms. E and Ms. TP were consistent, indicating Ms., TU was the aggressor in the situation and the one to make the statement “we can go outside” Based on my interviews I was able to determine unsafe environment violation, and the allegation was substantiated. The following violation was cited during today's visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Staff confrontation that happened in a classroom contained yelling, screaming and arguing and occurred in front of preschool children aged four and five. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) • A violation of childcare requirements related to safe environment was cited during today’s visit and requires a letter of corrective to be submitted by July 29th,2025 indicating how this was corrected and how you will keep in compliance going forward. Please send your letter of corrective action to the email address listed below. Technical Assistance: • Review and retraining of staff on safe environment, professionalism/code of conduct in front of children. • Recommendation of training via www.swcdcinc.org ex. Conflict Competence for Leaders - online, self-paced/on-demand (.2 CEU/2 hours) Conflict is inevitable and how people react in those situations can impact relationships and affect desired outcomes with family, friends, peers and staff. Conflict management styles vary based on individuals. Do you know what your primary conflict management style is? What are the characteristics of your ‘go-to’ approach? Is your style conducive to being a great leader? What additional factors influence the way you and others react to conflict? Could learning to use other styles serve you well? This course explores these questions and more. At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to list the 5 different conflict management styles, identify the characteristics of their primary conflict management style, and use this information to improve their conflict competence. Contact Information: If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to call (919)819-9364 or email me at: Michele.j.hirsch@dhhs.nc.gov Michele Hirsch 1020 Lake Royale Louisburg, NC 27549 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