10A NCAC 09 .2703 · Violation

Name of Operation: PRICELESS CHILD CARE, INC. Facility ID: 92000961 Consultant: MICHELLE EZZELL Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/7/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/7/2025 Age: From 1 To 3 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 11:00 AM Time Out: 02:20 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 your annual compliance visit. The center located in a residence (CLIR) currently operates with a 5-star license, operating at 30 sq. ft. inside, 100 sq. ft. outside & enhanced ratios. My visit was conducted with you, Veda Price-Crandell, Director/Owner. The CLIR has a total of three (3) Early Head Start classrooms. Spaces 1 & 2 are combined into one large room. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored. You’re currently working with the City of Raleigh and hoping to change from a center located in a residence to a center. Upon arrival, the children were observed playing on the playground. You stated you do not transport children. You stated you live alone in the home, and your daughter and pet no longer live in the home. You stated no medications are at the center. The center has three (3) playgrounds, all three playgrounds have been measured and remeasured today. ********VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: ********* *Sanitation inspection=6-17-25 (scan me all your inspections). *The last fire inspection was on 9-17-25. *The last outdoor inspection was on 9-15-25. Playground safety inspection training was completed by Veda on 11-15-14. *The last fire drill was on 9-15-25 & Lockdown drill was on 8-19-25. *EPR training was completed by Veda on 3-2-17; the EPR plan was updated on 9-25-25. *Your last lead water test was on 5-14-25 & expires on 5-14-28. *I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed the owner of the facility (Priceless Child Care, Inc.) listed as current-active. *Teaching Strategies curriculum is used and approved. *Technical Assistance was offered on how to correct the violations cited and how to maintain compliance. To maintain compliance with NC laws and rules regarding childcare operation, the following violations must be corrected immediately. Email a signed and dated corrective action letter 10-21-25 to michelle.ezzell@dhhs.nc.gov A corrective action letter means you have corrected all the items on non-compliance and is a legal document. If I do not receive your letter within the established time, a return visit will be made. Additional violations may be documented if the violation has not been corrected/addressed. The Division of Child Development & Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. 1. A large fire ant mound was observed on the large playground near the bike path. 2. Six empty plastic bags of miracle grow soil was around the gazebo shade structure. 3. The storage building used to store toys that's located on one of the playgrounds was unlocked. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Employees Criminal record checks have not been linked into DCDEE's ABCMS portal. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) *Technical Assistance was given how to correct the violations cited today: ***ABCMS PORTAL for CENTERS Linking Criminal Background Checks – Staff need to log into the Criminal Background Check Portal on the DCDEE website and link to the facility license number. It is important to do this so staff at DCDEE can contact the facility if a random criminal history check uncovers a staff member with a criminal charge or conviction working in a childcare facility. It is also a way to for staff at the CBC Unit to keep you updated of the status of out-of-state checks if a new employee has a Provisional Qualification. Instructions on how to link to the facility was discussed with you and emails and newsletters have been sent to you. In the future, new staff need to link within five days of hire or transfer to your center. Review Criminal History Record Check Requirements for Child Care Centers in the NC Child Care Requirements 10A NCAC 09 .2703. If you have any questions regarding the criminal background check process, dial 1-800-859-0829 and ask for the criminal background unit. *A “how to” documentation page to assist you with ABCMS was given to you today and emailed to you 10-11-24. In the Spring of 2025, I offered a director’s meeting with a guest speaker to review this process. ***SAFETY ISSUES: **** *Plastic Bags- RULE. 0604 Plastic bags are a suffocation hazard for young children and should be made inaccessible to children less than three years of age. Six empty plastic bags of miracle grow were observed around the gazabo on the large playground. *Any plastic bags must be stored out of reach of the children, which is five feet or higher from the finished floor. Keep trash bags tucked so large sections are not accessible to the children. I suggested using mesh bags vs. plastic Ziploc bags. *OUTDOOR SAFETY ENVIRONMENT: The storage building on one playground was unlocked. We discussed; the storage building must be locked at all times to prevent a child from entering the building or hiding in the building. *The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste and their sense of motion. Since children are exploring it is very important to provide a safe environment, free of debris. *FIRE ANTS: A fire Ant mound was observed on the large playground. I suggest you have your playground sprayed for fire ants. Fire Ants work quickly; therefore, playgrounds should be inspected before children are allowed to play on them. If you find a fire Ant mound, block the area off so a child will not disturb the mound. *******TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/REMINDERS: ******* *We discussed you moving toward Pathway #3. You are not accredited and stated you will research being accredited. *We discussed, your fire inspection must be submitted to me within 5 days of completion. ****QRIS/Rated License Reminders***** *For videos and forms for the QRIS/Rated License process, go to DCDEE’s website or contact me for assistance. WORKS/Workforce must have staff’s current education standards on file. PROGRAM STANDARDS: for trainings on environment rating scales go to www.ncrlap@uncg.edu Michelle Ezzell, DCDEE Child Care Consultant 919-819-9304 www.ncdhhs.gov/dcd 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.

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: PRICELESS CHILD CARE, INC. Facility ID: 92000961 Consultant: MICHELLE EZZELL Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/7/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/7/2025 Age: From 1 To 3 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 11:00 AM Time Out: 02:20 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 your annual compliance visit. The center located in a residence (CLIR) currently operates with a 5-star license, operating at 30 sq. ft. inside, 100 sq. ft. outside & enhanced ratios. My visit was conducted with you, Veda Price-Crandell, Director/Owner. The CLIR has a total of three (3) Early Head Start classrooms. Spaces 1 & 2 are combined into one large room. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored. You’re currently working with the City of Raleigh and hoping to change from a center located in a residence to a center. Upon arrival, the children were observed playing on the playground. You stated you do not transport children. You stated you live alone in the home, and your daughter and pet no longer live in the home. You stated no medications are at the center. The center has three (3) playgrounds, all three playgrounds have been measured and remeasured today. ********VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: ********* *Sanitation inspection=6-17-25 (scan me all your inspections). *The last fire inspection was on 9-17-25. *The last outdoor inspection was on 9-15-25. Playground safety inspection training was completed by Veda on 11-15-14. *The last fire drill was on 9-15-25 & Lockdown drill was on 8-19-25. *EPR training was completed by Veda on 3-2-17; the EPR plan was updated on 9-25-25. *Your last lead water test was on 5-14-25 & expires on 5-14-28. *I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed the owner of the facility (Priceless Child Care, Inc.) listed as current-active. *Teaching Strategies curriculum is used and approved. *Technical Assistance was offered on how to correct the violations cited and how to maintain compliance. To maintain compliance with NC laws and rules regarding childcare operation, the following violations must be corrected immediately. Email a signed and dated corrective action letter 10-21-25 to michelle.ezzell@dhhs.nc.gov A corrective action letter means you have corrected all the items on non-compliance and is a legal document. If I do not receive your letter within the established time, a return visit will be made. Additional violations may be documented if the violation has not been corrected/addressed. The Division of Child Development & Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. 1. A large fire ant mound was observed on the large playground near the bike path. 2. Six empty plastic bags of miracle grow soil was around the gazebo shade structure. 3. The storage building used to store toys that's located on one of the playgrounds was unlocked. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Employees Criminal record checks have not been linked into DCDEE's ABCMS portal. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) *Technical Assistance was given how to correct the violations cited today: ***ABCMS PORTAL for CENTERS Linking Criminal Background Checks – Staff need to log into the Criminal Background Check Portal on the DCDEE website and link to the facility license number. It is important to do this so staff at DCDEE can contact the facility if a random criminal history check uncovers a staff member with a criminal charge or conviction working in a childcare facility. It is also a way to for staff at the CBC Unit to keep you updated of the status of out-of-state checks if a new employee has a Provisional Qualification. Instructions on how to link to the facility was discussed with you and emails and newsletters have been sent to you. In the future, new staff need to link within five days of hire or transfer to your center. Review Criminal History Record Check Requirements for Child Care Centers in the NC Child Care Requirements 10A NCAC 09 .2703. If you have any questions regarding the criminal background check process, dial 1-800-859-0829 and ask for the criminal background unit. *A “how to” documentation page to assist you with ABCMS was given to you today and emailed to you 10-11-24. In the Spring of 2025, I offered a director’s meeting with a guest speaker to review this process. ***SAFETY ISSUES: **** *Plastic Bags- RULE. 0604 Plastic bags are a suffocation hazard for young children and should be made inaccessible to children less than three years of age. Six empty plastic bags of miracle grow were observed around the gazabo on the large playground. *Any plastic bags must be stored out of reach of the children, which is five feet or higher from the finished floor. Keep trash bags tucked so large sections are not accessible to the children. I suggested using mesh bags vs. plastic Ziploc bags. *OUTDOOR SAFETY ENVIRONMENT: The storage building on one playground was unlocked. We discussed; the storage building must be locked at all times to prevent a child from entering the building or hiding in the building. *The outdoor learning environment offers a sense of freedom for children. Children are able to play freely with peers, expand their imagination beyond restraints of indoor activities, release energy and explore their sense of touch, smell, taste and their sense of motion. Since children are exploring it is very important to provide a safe environment, free of debris. *FIRE ANTS: A fire Ant mound was observed on the large playground. I suggest you have your playground sprayed for fire ants. Fire Ants work quickly; therefore, playgrounds should be inspected before children are allowed to play on them. If you find a fire Ant mound, block the area off so a child will not disturb the mound. *******TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/REMINDERS: ******* *We discussed you moving toward Pathway #3. You are not accredited and stated you will research being accredited. *We discussed, your fire inspection must be submitted to me within 5 days of completion. ****QRIS/Rated License Reminders***** *For videos and forms for the QRIS/Rated License process, go to DCDEE’s website or contact me for assistance. WORKS/Workforce must have staff’s current education standards on file. PROGRAM STANDARDS: for trainings on environment rating scales go to www.ncrlap@uncg.edu Michelle Ezzell, DCDEE Child Care Consultant 919-819-9304 www.ncdhhs.gov/dcd 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.