A Mother'S Choice Childcare Center

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/12/2026 Number Present: 7 Completed Date: 2/12/2026 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 269 Time In: 09:26 AM Time Out: 01:55 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements. Your last Annual Compliance Visit was conducted on March 4, 2025. Your facility’s compliance history score prior to today’s visit was 86%. You, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, Director, and Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, assisted me with the visit. I reviewed with you today the information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, administrator, or owner. I reviewed the facilities permit with you today. This facility operates with a three-star license and is licensed for 100 children on first, second, and third shift, ages 0-12 with an effective date of April 13, 2020. The following restrictions are listed: 1st shift; 2nd shift; 3rd shift; meets enhanced ratios; children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only; and age range extended through 14 years. Your facility, owned by Mothers Choice Childcare Center was current and active with the NC Secretary of State as viewed on the NC Secretary of State Website prior to today’s visit. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Visit Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I monitored the following required postings: License, NC Child Care Summary of the Law, menu, Emergency Medical Care Plan, Sanitation placard, daily schedules, activity plans, staff-child ratio worksheets, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans. Child to staff ratios, group size, supervision, permit restrictions, and adequate and approved space were monitored. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. I observed the children participating in free choice activities indoors and outdoors, lunch, and rest time. All medications and accompanying documentation were monitored. You stated that this program does not provide transportation. The written administrative and personnel policies in the Employee Handbook dated April 30, 2016, were reviewed during today’s visit. The written operational policies and parent participation plan in the Parent Handbook dated December 3, 2025, were reviewed during today’s visit with all required components included as required. Program records were monitored, including emergency drills, fire drills, monthly outdoor inspections, and incident logs. A sanitation inspection was conducted on September 12, 2025, with 4 demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on June 20, 2025. I verified that you completed the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results dated July 18, 2024, indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that information was submitted on September 25, 2025, regarding lead-based paint on the Clean Classrooms for Kids dashboard which indicated that your facility was exempt from testing. I verified on the Clean Classroom for Kids dashboard that you are waiting for on-site visit results for your asbestos testing. There have not been any new staff members hired since the last visit. I monitored a portion of existing staff files during today’s visit. I monitored health and safety requirements. There are 30 children enrolled. I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5 the posted activity plan was dated 1/5/2025-1/9/2025. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. The bathroom in Space 1 was used for storage of children's toys. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. In Space 5 an electrical outlet was not covered with a safety plug. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. A child enrolled on 6/26/2024 had their emergency medical care information last updated on 1/30/2025. .0802(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • Today we discussed the importance of ensuring that activity plans are current, developmentally appropriate, and posted in each classroom. Keeping activity plans updated supports consistency in the classroom and promotes a purposeful learning environment. I suggest that a member of the administrative team complete a weekly walkthrough to ensure all activity plans are current and posted. • I encouraged you to have staff members complete safety checks each day to identify and address any potential hazards, including uncovered electrical outlets, prior to children’s arrival. Today you corrected item number 812 by covering an electrical outlet with a safety plug in Space 5. • I reminded you that children’s emergency medical care information needs to be reviewed and updated annually. You stated that you were in the process of obtaining updated information from the family. I recommend that you provide families with the application a month prior to the annual due date to ensure deadlines are not missed. • We discussed that bathrooms should only be used for toileting and hygiene purposes and not for storage of children’s toys or classroom materials. Storing items in the bathroom increases the risk of contamination. I suggested that you complete a walkthrough of all bathrooms each week to ensure it is not being utilized for storage and remind staff that they can store items in the classrooms that are not being used. CONSULTATION: • 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. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: •If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant by July 1, 2026. • 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. o Access resources, trainings, and outreach via ncrlap.org. o 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 by July 1, 2026. • 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. • You stated that you are not interested in pursuing accreditation at this time. However, we discussed that you are eligible for Pathway 3 if you become accredited. • When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve your plan first BEFORE you put it in your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan as an update. • We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more. o Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. o Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License o Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development o Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings o Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy o DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: All violations cited during today’s visit 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 I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 26, 2026. Please mail or email a signed copy of the letter to: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1078 Faith, NC 28041 Email: ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov If you email 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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. If a letter is not received by the required date an unannounced follow-up visit may be conducted to confirm the violations were corrected 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. Please Note: Please be aware that 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. 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. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (704) 330-3722 or by email at ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/12/2026 Number Present: 7 Completed Date: 2/12/2026 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 269 Time In: 09:26 AM Time Out: 01:55 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements. Your last Annual Compliance Visit was conducted on March 4, 2025. Your facility’s compliance history score prior to today’s visit was 86%. You, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, Director, and Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, assisted me with the visit. I reviewed with you today the information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, administrator, or owner. I reviewed the facilities permit with you today. This facility operates with a three-star license and is licensed for 100 children on first, second, and third shift, ages 0-12 with an effective date of April 13, 2020. The following restrictions are listed: 1st shift; 2nd shift; 3rd shift; meets enhanced ratios; children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only; and age range extended through 14 years. Your facility, owned by Mothers Choice Childcare Center was current and active with the NC Secretary of State as viewed on the NC Secretary of State Website prior to today’s visit. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Visit Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I monitored the following required postings: License, NC Child Care Summary of the Law, menu, Emergency Medical Care Plan, Sanitation placard, daily schedules, activity plans, staff-child ratio worksheets, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans. Child to staff ratios, group size, supervision, permit restrictions, and adequate and approved space were monitored. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. I observed the children participating in free choice activities indoors and outdoors, lunch, and rest time. All medications and accompanying documentation were monitored. You stated that this program does not provide transportation. The written administrative and personnel policies in the Employee Handbook dated April 30, 2016, were reviewed during today’s visit. The written operational policies and parent participation plan in the Parent Handbook dated December 3, 2025, were reviewed during today’s visit with all required components included as required. Program records were monitored, including emergency drills, fire drills, monthly outdoor inspections, and incident logs. A sanitation inspection was conducted on September 12, 2025, with 4 demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on June 20, 2025. I verified that you completed the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that those test results dated July 18, 2024, indicate that the facility’s water is within acceptable limits. I verified that information was submitted on September 25, 2025, regarding lead-based paint on the Clean Classrooms for Kids dashboard which indicated that your facility was exempt from testing. I verified on the Clean Classroom for Kids dashboard that you are waiting for on-site visit results for your asbestos testing. There have not been any new staff members hired since the last visit. I monitored a portion of existing staff files during today’s visit. I monitored health and safety requirements. There are 30 children enrolled. I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5 the posted activity plan was dated 1/5/2025-1/9/2025. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. The bathroom in Space 1 was used for storage of children's toys. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. In Space 5 an electrical outlet was not covered with a safety plug. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. A child enrolled on 6/26/2024 had their emergency medical care information last updated on 1/30/2025. .0802(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • Today we discussed the importance of ensuring that activity plans are current, developmentally appropriate, and posted in each classroom. Keeping activity plans updated supports consistency in the classroom and promotes a purposeful learning environment. I suggest that a member of the administrative team complete a weekly walkthrough to ensure all activity plans are current and posted. • I encouraged you to have staff members complete safety checks each day to identify and address any potential hazards, including uncovered electrical outlets, prior to children’s arrival. Today you corrected item number 812 by covering an electrical outlet with a safety plug in Space 5. • I reminded you that children’s emergency medical care information needs to be reviewed and updated annually. You stated that you were in the process of obtaining updated information from the family. I recommend that you provide families with the application a month prior to the annual due date to ensure deadlines are not missed. • We discussed that bathrooms should only be used for toileting and hygiene purposes and not for storage of children’s toys or classroom materials. Storing items in the bathroom increases the risk of contamination. I suggested that you complete a walkthrough of all bathrooms each week to ensure it is not being utilized for storage and remind staff that they can store items in the classrooms that are not being used. CONSULTATION: • 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. The following steps are how you can begin preparing for the Rated License process: •If you choose Pathway 1: • Complete the “Application For Assessment for a Rated License for Centers” electronically and submit to your child care consultant by July 1, 2026. • 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. o Access resources, trainings, and outreach via ncrlap.org. o 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 by July 1, 2026. • 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. • You stated that you are not interested in pursuing accreditation at this time. However, we discussed that you are eligible for Pathway 3 if you become accredited. • When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve your plan first BEFORE you put it in your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan as an update. • We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more. o Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. o Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License o Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development o Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings o Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy o DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: All violations cited during today’s visit 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 I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 26, 2026. Please mail or email a signed copy of the letter to: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1078 Faith, NC 28041 Email: ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov If you email 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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. If a letter is not received by the required date an unannounced follow-up visit may be conducted to confirm the violations were corrected 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. Please Note: Please be aware that 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. 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. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (704) 330-3722 or by email at ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/11/2025 Number Present: 19 Completed Date: 9/11/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 173 Time In: 11:37 AM Time Out: 02:30 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. Your last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on March 4, 2025. Your facility’s compliance history score prior to today’s visit was 82%. You, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, Director, assisted me with the visit. Your facility, owned by Mothers Choice Childcare Center, was current and active with the NC Secretary of State as viewed on the NC Secretary of State Website today. I observed your Three-Star License, NC Child Care Summary of the Law, menu, Emergency Medical Care Plan, Sanitation placard, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans posted as required. Child to staff ratios, group size, supervision, permit restrictions, and adequate and approved space were monitored. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. I observed the children participating in the lunch time routine and rest time. You stated that no children currently enrolled require medication or Medical Action Plans. Program records were monitored, including emergency drills, fire drills, monthly outdoor inspections, and incident logs. A sanitation inspection was conducted on April 24, 2025, with four (4) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on June 20, 2025. There have been three new staff members hired since my last visit. I monitored their files today. Criminal Background Checks, CPR/First Aid, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment, ITS SIDS, and BSAC trainings were monitored in staff files. K. Starnes’ qualification letter expired September 2, 2025. This violation must be corrected within fifteen (15) days and a copy of the qualification letter must be sent to me with the required compliance letter. You stated there are no children currently enrolled on second or third shift. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification that the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The staff/child ratio applicable to the classroom was not posted in Space 2. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 2, children two years of age were observed watching videos on a laptop during lunch. .0510(f) 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). One staff member's qualification letter expired on September 2, 2025. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 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. The operator did not notify the Division within five business days of three new staff members (DOH: 4/25/2025, 6/23/2025, 9/3/2025) being hired. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) Technical Assistance: • The Division must be notified within five days when new employees have been hired by your facility. The process of notifying the Division changed in February 2024 and is now captured in ABCMS. Today we reviewed the ABCMS Provider Portal. You can utilize the ABCMS Provider Portal to monitor the expiration date of each qualification letter and ensure that staff members complete and submit the required forms in a timely manner. • To ensure that staff/child ratio worksheets are posted in the classroom, I recommend implementing a weekly checklist for staff members. This checklist should include a task to verify that all required postings, including the staff/child ratio, are correctly displayed and up to date. You corrected the violation today by posting the staff/child ratio form in Space 2. • Screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. When playing music, I suggest using a radio or Bluetooth speaker. For children over three years of age, screen time must be used to stimulate a developmental domain, be limited to 30 minutes a day and not more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child, and be documented on a cumulative log or activity plan. You corrected the violation today by placing the laptop where children could not see the videos playing. Consultation: • On July 1, 2025, the North Carolina Rules Review Commission (RRC) approved the new child care rule language for the QRIS Modernization Plan, known as “Pathways to the Stars”. The Division of Child Development and Early Education is currently preparing a summary of the rules, an online training module for Moodle, and an implementation plan. I will be conducting a center administrator training/meeting on September 29, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm as the next step for implementing the plan to transition to the “Pathways to the Stars”. The implementation plan will allow time for administrators to learn and understand the different pathways and the changes within our system. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025, will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. • DCDEE WEBSITE 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 • Please complete the enrollment process for Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos on the Classrooms for Carolina Kids website: https://data.cleanwaterforuskids.org/data/north-carolina. 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. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received by me no later than 9/25/2025. Your compliance documentation must include the following: • The name of your facility • The ID number of your facility • The date you write the letter • A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. • Your signature Please mail or email a signed copy of the letter to: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1078 Faith, NC 28041 Email: ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov If you email 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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. If a letter is not received by the required date an unannounced follow-up visit may be conducted to confirm the violations were corrected 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. Please Note: Please be aware that 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. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (704) 330-3722 or by email at ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 3/4/2025 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 12:00 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements during an Annual Compliance visit. Your last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 2, 2024. Your facility’s compliance history score prior to today’s visit was 83%. You, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, Director, and Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, assisted me with the visit. I reviewed with you today the information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, administrator, or owner. I reviewed the facilities permit with you today. This facility operates with a three-star license and is licensed for 100 children on first, second, and third shift, ages 0-12 with an effective date April 13, 2020. The following restrictions are listed: first, second, and third shift, meets enhanced ratios, children under two and half years old in rooms with direct exits only, and age range extended through 14 years. Your facility, owned by Mothers Choice Childcare Center was current and active with the NC Secretary of State as viewed on the NC Secretary of State Website today. I used the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Visit Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I observed your Three-Star License, NC Child Care Summary of the Law, menu, Emergency Medical Care Plan, Sanitation placard, daily schedules, activity plans, staff-child ratio worksheets, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans posted as required. Child to staff ratios, group size, supervision, permit restrictions, and adequate and approved space were monitored. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. I observed the children participating in free choice activities indoors and outdoors, engaged in teacher-led activities, and during lunch. There were a variety of materials available to children. Materials and furnishings were found to be developmentally appropriate. All medications and accompanying documentation were monitored. You stated your program does not provide transportation. Program records were monitored, including emergency drills, fire drills, monthly outdoor inspections, and incident logs. A sanitation inspection was conducted on November 5, 2024 with eight (8) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on May 13, 2024. There have been two new staff members hired since the last visit. I monitored their files and a portion of existing staff files during today’s visit. There are 40 children enrolled. I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member's last annual health questionnaire was completed on 4/5/2023. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member's Emergency Information Form was last updated on 4/5/2023. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members (hire dates: 9/9/2024, 10/21/2024) did not complete certification in First Aid. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members (hire dates: 9/9/2024, 10/21/2024) did not complete certification in CPR training. .1102(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. A medical exam was not on file for a child enrolled on 10/14/2024. GS110-91(1) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last emergency drill was conducted on 10/2/2024. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) Technical Assistance: • All staff members must complete CPR/First Aid training within 90 days of employment. I suggest scheduling their CPR/First Aid training during the first week of employment to ensure staff have adequate time to complete the training prior to the 90-day timeline. • Children must have a health assessment on file within 30 days of enrollment. You are currently utilizing the Children’s File Checklist to organize children’s files and completing periodic compliance checks to obtain and update documents. Today we discussed providing families with several verbal and written reminders throughout the first 30 days to ensure you obtain all the required documents. • To ensure shelter-in-place or lockdown drills are conducted every three months, I suggest planning out the drills for the entire year. Set an alarm on your phone or through your email to alert you of the drills as a reminder to complete them on the scheduled date. • Annual Health Questionnaires and Emergency Information Forms must be updated annually. I suggest having staff members review and update this information at the beginning of each year to ensure all information is accurate and documented yearly. Consultation: • NEW QRIS MODERNIZATION PLAN: The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which includes moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ITERS, ECERS, and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. • DCDEE WEBSITE 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 • ABCMS SYSTEM: The process of notifying the Division of any new child care providers working who are hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement as stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. • Child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304 which requires a child care center operator to: schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection, to notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection, and to submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division. • Due to the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids enrollment deadline has been revised statewide. Child care facilities that have not yet enrolled should complete the online process by May 31, 2025. 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. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received by me no later than 3/18/2025. Your compliance documentation must include the following: • The name of your facility • The ID number of your facility • The date you write the letter • A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. • A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. • Your signature Please mail or email a signed copy of the letter to: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1078 Faith, NC 28041 Email: ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov If you email 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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. If a letter is not received by the required date an unannounced follow-up visit may be conducted to confirm the violations were corrected 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. Please Note: Please be aware that 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. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (704) 330-3722 or by email at ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 3/4/2025 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 12:00 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements during an Annual Compliance visit. Your last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 2, 2024. Your facility’s compliance history score prior to today’s visit was 83%. You, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, Director, and Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, assisted me with the visit. I reviewed with you today the information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, administrator, or owner. I reviewed the facilities permit with you today. This facility operates with a three-star license and is licensed for 100 children on first, second, and third shift, ages 0-12 with an effective date April 13, 2020. The following restrictions are listed: first, second, and third shift, meets enhanced ratios, children under two and half years old in rooms with direct exits only, and age range extended through 14 years. Your facility, owned by Mothers Choice Childcare Center was current and active with the NC Secretary of State as viewed on the NC Secretary of State Website today. I used the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Visit Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I observed your Three-Star License, NC Child Care Summary of the Law, menu, Emergency Medical Care Plan, Sanitation placard, daily schedules, activity plans, staff-child ratio worksheets, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans posted as required. Child to staff ratios, group size, supervision, permit restrictions, and adequate and approved space were monitored. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. I observed the children participating in free choice activities indoors and outdoors, engaged in teacher-led activities, and during lunch. There were a variety of materials available to children. Materials and furnishings were found to be developmentally appropriate. All medications and accompanying documentation were monitored. You stated your program does not provide transportation. Program records were monitored, including emergency drills, fire drills, monthly outdoor inspections, and incident logs. A sanitation inspection was conducted on November 5, 2024 with eight (8) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on May 13, 2024. There have been two new staff members hired since the last visit. I monitored their files and a portion of existing staff files during today’s visit. There are 40 children enrolled. I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member's last annual health questionnaire was completed on 4/5/2023. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member's Emergency Information Form was last updated on 4/5/2023. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members (hire dates: 9/9/2024, 10/21/2024) did not complete certification in First Aid. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members (hire dates: 9/9/2024, 10/21/2024) did not complete certification in CPR training. .1102(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. A medical exam was not on file for a child enrolled on 10/14/2024. GS110-91(1) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last emergency drill was conducted on 10/2/2024. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) Technical Assistance: • All staff members must complete CPR/First Aid training within 90 days of employment. I suggest scheduling their CPR/First Aid training during the first week of employment to ensure staff have adequate time to complete the training prior to the 90-day timeline. • Children must have a health assessment on file within 30 days of enrollment. You are currently utilizing the Children’s File Checklist to organize children’s files and completing periodic compliance checks to obtain and update documents. Today we discussed providing families with several verbal and written reminders throughout the first 30 days to ensure you obtain all the required documents. • To ensure shelter-in-place or lockdown drills are conducted every three months, I suggest planning out the drills for the entire year. Set an alarm on your phone or through your email to alert you of the drills as a reminder to complete them on the scheduled date. • Annual Health Questionnaires and Emergency Information Forms must be updated annually. I suggest having staff members review and update this information at the beginning of each year to ensure all information is accurate and documented yearly. Consultation: • NEW QRIS MODERNIZATION PLAN: The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which includes moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ITERS, ECERS, and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. • DCDEE WEBSITE 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 • ABCMS SYSTEM: The process of notifying the Division of any new child care providers working who are hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement as stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. • Child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304 which requires a child care center operator to: schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection, to notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection, and to submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division. • Due to the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids enrollment deadline has been revised statewide. Child care facilities that have not yet enrolled should complete the online process by May 31, 2025. 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. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received by me no later than 3/18/2025. Your compliance documentation must include the following: • The name of your facility • The ID number of your facility • The date you write the letter • A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. • A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. • Your signature Please mail or email a signed copy of the letter to: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1078 Faith, NC 28041 Email: ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov If you email 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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. If a letter is not received by the required date an unannounced follow-up visit may be conducted to confirm the violations were corrected 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. Please Note: Please be aware that 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. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (704) 330-3722 or by email at ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

GS110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/4/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 3/4/2025 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 12:00 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements during an Annual Compliance visit. Your last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 2, 2024. Your facility’s compliance history score prior to today’s visit was 83%. You, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, Director, and Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, assisted me with the visit. I reviewed with you today the information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, administrator, or owner. I reviewed the facilities permit with you today. This facility operates with a three-star license and is licensed for 100 children on first, second, and third shift, ages 0-12 with an effective date April 13, 2020. The following restrictions are listed: first, second, and third shift, meets enhanced ratios, children under two and half years old in rooms with direct exits only, and age range extended through 14 years. Your facility, owned by Mothers Choice Childcare Center was current and active with the NC Secretary of State as viewed on the NC Secretary of State Website today. I used the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Visit Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. I observed your Three-Star License, NC Child Care Summary of the Law, menu, Emergency Medical Care Plan, Sanitation placard, daily schedules, activity plans, staff-child ratio worksheets, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans posted as required. Child to staff ratios, group size, supervision, permit restrictions, and adequate and approved space were monitored. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. I observed the children participating in free choice activities indoors and outdoors, engaged in teacher-led activities, and during lunch. There were a variety of materials available to children. Materials and furnishings were found to be developmentally appropriate. All medications and accompanying documentation were monitored. You stated your program does not provide transportation. Program records were monitored, including emergency drills, fire drills, monthly outdoor inspections, and incident logs. A sanitation inspection was conducted on November 5, 2024 with eight (8) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on May 13, 2024. There have been two new staff members hired since the last visit. I monitored their files and a portion of existing staff files during today’s visit. There are 40 children enrolled. I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member's last annual health questionnaire was completed on 4/5/2023. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member's Emergency Information Form was last updated on 4/5/2023. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members (hire dates: 9/9/2024, 10/21/2024) did not complete certification in First Aid. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members (hire dates: 9/9/2024, 10/21/2024) did not complete certification in CPR training. .1102(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. A medical exam was not on file for a child enrolled on 10/14/2024. GS110-91(1) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last emergency drill was conducted on 10/2/2024. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) Technical Assistance: • All staff members must complete CPR/First Aid training within 90 days of employment. I suggest scheduling their CPR/First Aid training during the first week of employment to ensure staff have adequate time to complete the training prior to the 90-day timeline. • Children must have a health assessment on file within 30 days of enrollment. You are currently utilizing the Children’s File Checklist to organize children’s files and completing periodic compliance checks to obtain and update documents. Today we discussed providing families with several verbal and written reminders throughout the first 30 days to ensure you obtain all the required documents. • To ensure shelter-in-place or lockdown drills are conducted every three months, I suggest planning out the drills for the entire year. Set an alarm on your phone or through your email to alert you of the drills as a reminder to complete them on the scheduled date. • Annual Health Questionnaires and Emergency Information Forms must be updated annually. I suggest having staff members review and update this information at the beginning of each year to ensure all information is accurate and documented yearly. Consultation: • NEW QRIS MODERNIZATION PLAN: The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which includes moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for ITERS, ECERS, and FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. • DCDEE WEBSITE 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 • ABCMS SYSTEM: The process of notifying the Division of any new child care providers working who are hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement as stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. • Child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304 which requires a child care center operator to: schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection, to notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection, and to submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division. • Due to the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids enrollment deadline has been revised statewide. Child care facilities that have not yet enrolled should complete the online process by May 31, 2025. 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. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received by me no later than 3/18/2025. Your compliance documentation must include the following: • The name of your facility • The ID number of your facility • The date you write the letter • A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. • A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. • Your signature Please mail or email a signed copy of the letter to: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1078 Faith, NC 28041 Email: ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov If you email 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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. If a letter is not received by the required date an unannounced follow-up visit may be conducted to confirm the violations were corrected 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. Please Note: Please be aware that 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. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (704) 330-3722 or by email at ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/3/2024 Number Present: 14 Completed Date: 9/3/2024 Age: From 1 To 3 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:25 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. Your last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 2, 2024. Your facility’s compliance history score prior to today’s visit was 87%. You, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, Director, assisted me with the visit. Your facility, owned by Mothers Choice Childcare Center was current and active with the NC Secretary of State as viewed on the NC Secretary of State Website today. I observed your Three-Star License, NC Child Care Summary of the Law, menu, Emergency Medical Care Plan, Sanitation placard, staff-child ratio worksheet, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans posted as required. Child to staff ratios, group size, supervision, permit restrictions, and adequate and approved space were monitored. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. I observed the children participating in free choice activities indoors and outdoors, diapering, and the handwashing routine. Positive interactions between staff and children were observed. You stated that no children currently enrolled have medications or Medical Action Plans. Program records were monitored, including emergency drills, fire drills, monthly outdoor inspections, and incident logs. A sanitation inspection was conducted on June 24, 2024, with six (6) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on May 13, 2024. Two new staff members were hired since the last visit. I monitored their files today. Criminal Background Checks, CPR/First Aid, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment, ITS SIDS, and BSAC trainings were monitored in staff’s files. One staff member’s qualification letter expired on June 7, 2024. The staff member has 15 days to update and submit the new qualification letter to me. If the updated letter is not received within this period, the staff member will be unable to continue working until the qualification letter is updated and provided. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification that the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). One staff member had a qualification letter that expired on 6/7/2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member's First Aid certification expired on 4/30/2024. One staff member hired on 4/29/2024 did not have First Aid training. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member's CPR certification expired on 4/30/2024. .1102(d) 1947 An individual on a provisional criminal background check status was not supervised by a staff person who was determined to be qualified. One staff member on a provisional background check status through 9/16/24 was left alone with children in Space 2. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(f) Technical Assistance: • Set a calendar reminder to ensure that staff members complete their CPR and First Aid training within their first 90 days of employment. Additionally, schedule a reminder 90 days before the expiration of any CPR and First Aid certifications to provide sufficient time for arranging and scheduling training. When signing up to take First Aid and CPR, utilize the "Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training" document found on the DCDEE website to find trainings that meet the NC child care requirements. • To ensure qualification letters do not expire, implement a tracking system with reminders for upcoming expirations. Regularly review all qualification letters to verify that staff with provisional letters are not left unattended with children and ensure timely renewals to maintain compliance and safety. Consultation: • LEAD PAINT/ASBESTOS TESTING: Centers should have registered for lead paint/asbestos testing by May 1, 2024. Facilities that have not yet enrolled should complete the online registration process for lead paint/asbestos testing by November 1, 2024 at https://data.cleanwaterforuskids.org/data/north-carolina. • 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. • Kimberly Cruz, Child Care Health Consultant, is available to provide trainings and technical assistance for your teachers and children. Her email address is kimberly.cruz@rowancountync.gov and her phone number is 704-216-8806. • If you haven’t already done so, please complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training to gain access to the provider portal. This training replaces the need for submitting a hard copy of the Change of Information form. After completing the training, you will be able to update your facility roster and manage eligible applicants directly through the portal. 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. COMPLIANCE PLAN: Violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received by me no later than 9/17/24, stating how each violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. Please mail or email me a signed copy of the letter to: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1078 Faith, NC 28041 Email: ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov If you email 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: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. If a letter is not received by the required date an unannounced follow-up visit may be conducted to confirm the violations were corrected or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A https://www.msn.com/enus/feedNCAC 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. Please Note: Please be aware that 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. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (704) 330-3722 or by email at ashlynn.vaughan@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time 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

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: MICHAEL SCOTT MASON Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0824-373A Visit Date: 8/29/2024 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 8/29/2024 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. I conducted a walk-through of the facility unaccompanied. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Frankie Koontz LaGrone, administrator and one additional staff member. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A staff member hit a child three times on the child's leg with an open hand. G.S. 110-91(10) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one week, 9/5/24, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at scott.mason@dhhs.nc.gov. You may contact me, Scott Mason, Lead Investigations Consultant, phone 919-594-4841, email scott.mason@dhhs.nc.gov, or Elizabeth Nichols, North Central Investigations Team Supervisor at elizabeth.nichols@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 4/2/2024 Age: From 1 To 10 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this visit is to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. The last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2024. The three-star license effective April 13, 2020, was posted. The facility operates with a license for one hundred children on all three shifts, ages 0-14. The following restrictions are listed: daytime and overnight; through fourteen years of age; children under 2 ½ in rooms with direct exit and meets enhanced ratios. The 18-month compliance history prior to today's visit was at 92%. The Secretary of State’s website was monitored, and MOTHERS CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER is active and current. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, and she stated that you, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, was at a meeting. In the meantime, Ms. Gather and I monitored the facility and available records. You arrived as I was typing the visit summary. I completed the "Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Centers" during today's visit. The children were observed during free choice activities indoors and outdoors, hand washing routines, lunch and naptime. Staff/child ratios, group size and supervision were monitored. The outdoor play area, outdoor play inspections and emergency drills were monitored. The fire inspection was conducted on May 16, 2023. A sanitation inspection was conducted on December 15, 2023, with nine demerits. There have been four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit. I monitored the new staff files and a portion of the existing staff files. Health and Safety requirements were monitored. There are 41 children enrolled and I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. The language area in space 4 had enough books and enough wipe off markers and boards for three children. The language activity area needs one more activity. .0510(d)(1) 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. The activity plan posted in space 2 did not have a specific gross motor activity listed for today (4/2/24). .0508(g)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted in the classrooms and in the kitchen was for the week of 3/25/24. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed for today's lunch and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 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. A staff member began employment today and did not have a medical report in her file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member began employment today and did not have a health questionnaire in her file. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member began employment today and did not have the Emergency Information Form in her file. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed first aid training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has first aid certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed CPR training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has CPR certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(d) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. A staff member that cares for the children two years of age is required to complete 10 hours of on-going training. She has completed 2 hours as of today. She will need 8 additional hours immediately. .1103(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A staff member's first day was today and she did not have her qualification letter in her file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. There was no record that the staff hired on 10/17/23 completed this training within her first 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. A staff member that cares for the children 2 years completed the above training in May 2017. There is no documentation that she has completed the trainings again within 5 years. .1103(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: -Include in the annual evaluation or in the annual staff development plan an in-service training schedule to ensure that the required trainings are completed in a timely manner. Health and Safety trainings are required to be completed every five years; they can also be included in the plan. Review the Health and Safety documentation log with your staff. -It is important to make sure staffs' CPR/FA training does not expire. List all staff and when their CPR/FA is to expire and post where you can see it as a reminder. You will want to start looking and registering for the classes 60 days prior to the expatriation date so there is no overlap. -Do not allow staff to begin working until you have all required documents need by the first date of -I discussed with the staff in space four that the language area needs at least three diffract language activities and enough of each for three children to use. Some suggestions were made which included magnetic letters with metal cookie sheets, felt pieces with a felt board, letter/sight word puzzles or memory cards. -Menus should be done in advance and current menus need to be posted. The current menus were found and posted during the visit. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. I discussed with the staff that prepared the lunch that the menu needs to be revised prior to serving the children. She made the revisions on the menu after lunch was served. -It may be helpful to develop a plan for new staff to complete the required trainings within 90 days of hire. During orientation give them a date as to when they need to complete the the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. CONSULTATION: -We discussed a conflict that took place between two staff members during lunch time. It maybe helpful seek out a team building workshop or a conflict resolution workshop your staff can attend. Smart Start Rowan or CCRI may be able to provide a training or resources to help moral between staff. -The annual Emergency Information form does not need to go into the confidential staff health file. You will want this in the staffs' personnel file for easy access in case of an emergency. -It is important that if you write on the Staff and Training Worksheet that staff have experience working in a licensed child care facility that is reflected on their application or resume. -We discussed that you will need to update your Emergency Management Template for the EPR plan. Here is the link to access your EPR Plan: https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/portal.aspx#. -Health and Safety trainings cannot be older than 12 months from date of hire to be counted for new staff. New staff will have one year from the date of hire to complete the health and safety trainings. -You will need to complete the Change of Information form when you have new staff that bring you a CBC qualification letter that has not been completed recently. This form needs to be completed within five days of hire and submitted to the CBC Unit. The form can be found under “Provider Documents” on the DCDEE website. -Teaching staff are required to register with the Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS). DCDEE WORKS includes a self-service component known as the applicant portal. This is used by an individual applicant to register and maintain their workforce information to support education requirements. The portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual NCID username and password. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Violations must be corrected immediately. You shall submit a written/typed, signed and dated statement to me at the address noted below or email me detailing how the violations were corrected with exact dates and details including how you plan to prevent reoccurrence of such violations which must be received by April 16, 2024. Failure to correct the violation(s) and send the written statement by the established deadline listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit or an administrative action may be recommended based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2200. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed you a copy of today’s visit summary. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Leas Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082-0835 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

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 4/2/2024 Age: From 1 To 10 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this visit is to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. The last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2024. The three-star license effective April 13, 2020, was posted. The facility operates with a license for one hundred children on all three shifts, ages 0-14. The following restrictions are listed: daytime and overnight; through fourteen years of age; children under 2 ½ in rooms with direct exit and meets enhanced ratios. The 18-month compliance history prior to today's visit was at 92%. The Secretary of State’s website was monitored, and MOTHERS CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER is active and current. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, and she stated that you, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, was at a meeting. In the meantime, Ms. Gather and I monitored the facility and available records. You arrived as I was typing the visit summary. I completed the "Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Centers" during today's visit. The children were observed during free choice activities indoors and outdoors, hand washing routines, lunch and naptime. Staff/child ratios, group size and supervision were monitored. The outdoor play area, outdoor play inspections and emergency drills were monitored. The fire inspection was conducted on May 16, 2023. A sanitation inspection was conducted on December 15, 2023, with nine demerits. There have been four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit. I monitored the new staff files and a portion of the existing staff files. Health and Safety requirements were monitored. There are 41 children enrolled and I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. The language area in space 4 had enough books and enough wipe off markers and boards for three children. The language activity area needs one more activity. .0510(d)(1) 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. The activity plan posted in space 2 did not have a specific gross motor activity listed for today (4/2/24). .0508(g)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted in the classrooms and in the kitchen was for the week of 3/25/24. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed for today's lunch and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 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. A staff member began employment today and did not have a medical report in her file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member began employment today and did not have a health questionnaire in her file. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member began employment today and did not have the Emergency Information Form in her file. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed first aid training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has first aid certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed CPR training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has CPR certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(d) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. A staff member that cares for the children two years of age is required to complete 10 hours of on-going training. She has completed 2 hours as of today. She will need 8 additional hours immediately. .1103(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A staff member's first day was today and she did not have her qualification letter in her file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. There was no record that the staff hired on 10/17/23 completed this training within her first 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. A staff member that cares for the children 2 years completed the above training in May 2017. There is no documentation that she has completed the trainings again within 5 years. .1103(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: -Include in the annual evaluation or in the annual staff development plan an in-service training schedule to ensure that the required trainings are completed in a timely manner. Health and Safety trainings are required to be completed every five years; they can also be included in the plan. Review the Health and Safety documentation log with your staff. -It is important to make sure staffs' CPR/FA training does not expire. List all staff and when their CPR/FA is to expire and post where you can see it as a reminder. You will want to start looking and registering for the classes 60 days prior to the expatriation date so there is no overlap. -Do not allow staff to begin working until you have all required documents need by the first date of -I discussed with the staff in space four that the language area needs at least three diffract language activities and enough of each for three children to use. Some suggestions were made which included magnetic letters with metal cookie sheets, felt pieces with a felt board, letter/sight word puzzles or memory cards. -Menus should be done in advance and current menus need to be posted. The current menus were found and posted during the visit. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. I discussed with the staff that prepared the lunch that the menu needs to be revised prior to serving the children. She made the revisions on the menu after lunch was served. -It may be helpful to develop a plan for new staff to complete the required trainings within 90 days of hire. During orientation give them a date as to when they need to complete the the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. CONSULTATION: -We discussed a conflict that took place between two staff members during lunch time. It maybe helpful seek out a team building workshop or a conflict resolution workshop your staff can attend. Smart Start Rowan or CCRI may be able to provide a training or resources to help moral between staff. -The annual Emergency Information form does not need to go into the confidential staff health file. You will want this in the staffs' personnel file for easy access in case of an emergency. -It is important that if you write on the Staff and Training Worksheet that staff have experience working in a licensed child care facility that is reflected on their application or resume. -We discussed that you will need to update your Emergency Management Template for the EPR plan. Here is the link to access your EPR Plan: https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/portal.aspx#. -Health and Safety trainings cannot be older than 12 months from date of hire to be counted for new staff. New staff will have one year from the date of hire to complete the health and safety trainings. -You will need to complete the Change of Information form when you have new staff that bring you a CBC qualification letter that has not been completed recently. This form needs to be completed within five days of hire and submitted to the CBC Unit. The form can be found under “Provider Documents” on the DCDEE website. -Teaching staff are required to register with the Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS). DCDEE WORKS includes a self-service component known as the applicant portal. This is used by an individual applicant to register and maintain their workforce information to support education requirements. The portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual NCID username and password. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Violations must be corrected immediately. You shall submit a written/typed, signed and dated statement to me at the address noted below or email me detailing how the violations were corrected with exact dates and details including how you plan to prevent reoccurrence of such violations which must be received by April 16, 2024. Failure to correct the violation(s) and send the written statement by the established deadline listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit or an administrative action may be recommended based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2200. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed you a copy of today’s visit summary. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Leas Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082-0835 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

10A NCAC 09 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 4/2/2024 Age: From 1 To 10 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this visit is to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. The last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2024. The three-star license effective April 13, 2020, was posted. The facility operates with a license for one hundred children on all three shifts, ages 0-14. The following restrictions are listed: daytime and overnight; through fourteen years of age; children under 2 ½ in rooms with direct exit and meets enhanced ratios. The 18-month compliance history prior to today's visit was at 92%. The Secretary of State’s website was monitored, and MOTHERS CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER is active and current. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, and she stated that you, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, was at a meeting. In the meantime, Ms. Gather and I monitored the facility and available records. You arrived as I was typing the visit summary. I completed the "Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Centers" during today's visit. The children were observed during free choice activities indoors and outdoors, hand washing routines, lunch and naptime. Staff/child ratios, group size and supervision were monitored. The outdoor play area, outdoor play inspections and emergency drills were monitored. The fire inspection was conducted on May 16, 2023. A sanitation inspection was conducted on December 15, 2023, with nine demerits. There have been four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit. I monitored the new staff files and a portion of the existing staff files. Health and Safety requirements were monitored. There are 41 children enrolled and I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. The language area in space 4 had enough books and enough wipe off markers and boards for three children. The language activity area needs one more activity. .0510(d)(1) 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. The activity plan posted in space 2 did not have a specific gross motor activity listed for today (4/2/24). .0508(g)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted in the classrooms and in the kitchen was for the week of 3/25/24. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed for today's lunch and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 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. A staff member began employment today and did not have a medical report in her file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member began employment today and did not have a health questionnaire in her file. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member began employment today and did not have the Emergency Information Form in her file. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed first aid training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has first aid certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed CPR training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has CPR certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(d) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. A staff member that cares for the children two years of age is required to complete 10 hours of on-going training. She has completed 2 hours as of today. She will need 8 additional hours immediately. .1103(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A staff member's first day was today and she did not have her qualification letter in her file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. There was no record that the staff hired on 10/17/23 completed this training within her first 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. A staff member that cares for the children 2 years completed the above training in May 2017. There is no documentation that she has completed the trainings again within 5 years. .1103(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: -Include in the annual evaluation or in the annual staff development plan an in-service training schedule to ensure that the required trainings are completed in a timely manner. Health and Safety trainings are required to be completed every five years; they can also be included in the plan. Review the Health and Safety documentation log with your staff. -It is important to make sure staffs' CPR/FA training does not expire. List all staff and when their CPR/FA is to expire and post where you can see it as a reminder. You will want to start looking and registering for the classes 60 days prior to the expatriation date so there is no overlap. -Do not allow staff to begin working until you have all required documents need by the first date of -I discussed with the staff in space four that the language area needs at least three diffract language activities and enough of each for three children to use. Some suggestions were made which included magnetic letters with metal cookie sheets, felt pieces with a felt board, letter/sight word puzzles or memory cards. -Menus should be done in advance and current menus need to be posted. The current menus were found and posted during the visit. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. I discussed with the staff that prepared the lunch that the menu needs to be revised prior to serving the children. She made the revisions on the menu after lunch was served. -It may be helpful to develop a plan for new staff to complete the required trainings within 90 days of hire. During orientation give them a date as to when they need to complete the the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. CONSULTATION: -We discussed a conflict that took place between two staff members during lunch time. It maybe helpful seek out a team building workshop or a conflict resolution workshop your staff can attend. Smart Start Rowan or CCRI may be able to provide a training or resources to help moral between staff. -The annual Emergency Information form does not need to go into the confidential staff health file. You will want this in the staffs' personnel file for easy access in case of an emergency. -It is important that if you write on the Staff and Training Worksheet that staff have experience working in a licensed child care facility that is reflected on their application or resume. -We discussed that you will need to update your Emergency Management Template for the EPR plan. Here is the link to access your EPR Plan: https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/portal.aspx#. -Health and Safety trainings cannot be older than 12 months from date of hire to be counted for new staff. New staff will have one year from the date of hire to complete the health and safety trainings. -You will need to complete the Change of Information form when you have new staff that bring you a CBC qualification letter that has not been completed recently. This form needs to be completed within five days of hire and submitted to the CBC Unit. The form can be found under “Provider Documents” on the DCDEE website. -Teaching staff are required to register with the Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS). DCDEE WORKS includes a self-service component known as the applicant portal. This is used by an individual applicant to register and maintain their workforce information to support education requirements. The portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual NCID username and password. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Violations must be corrected immediately. You shall submit a written/typed, signed and dated statement to me at the address noted below or email me detailing how the violations were corrected with exact dates and details including how you plan to prevent reoccurrence of such violations which must be received by April 16, 2024. Failure to correct the violation(s) and send the written statement by the established deadline listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit or an administrative action may be recommended based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2200. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed you a copy of today’s visit summary. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Leas Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082-0835 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

10A NCAC 09 .2200 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 4/2/2024 Age: From 1 To 10 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this visit is to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. The last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2024. The three-star license effective April 13, 2020, was posted. The facility operates with a license for one hundred children on all three shifts, ages 0-14. The following restrictions are listed: daytime and overnight; through fourteen years of age; children under 2 ½ in rooms with direct exit and meets enhanced ratios. The 18-month compliance history prior to today's visit was at 92%. The Secretary of State’s website was monitored, and MOTHERS CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER is active and current. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, and she stated that you, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, was at a meeting. In the meantime, Ms. Gather and I monitored the facility and available records. You arrived as I was typing the visit summary. I completed the "Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Centers" during today's visit. The children were observed during free choice activities indoors and outdoors, hand washing routines, lunch and naptime. Staff/child ratios, group size and supervision were monitored. The outdoor play area, outdoor play inspections and emergency drills were monitored. The fire inspection was conducted on May 16, 2023. A sanitation inspection was conducted on December 15, 2023, with nine demerits. There have been four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit. I monitored the new staff files and a portion of the existing staff files. Health and Safety requirements were monitored. There are 41 children enrolled and I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. The language area in space 4 had enough books and enough wipe off markers and boards for three children. The language activity area needs one more activity. .0510(d)(1) 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. The activity plan posted in space 2 did not have a specific gross motor activity listed for today (4/2/24). .0508(g)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted in the classrooms and in the kitchen was for the week of 3/25/24. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed for today's lunch and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 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. A staff member began employment today and did not have a medical report in her file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member began employment today and did not have a health questionnaire in her file. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member began employment today and did not have the Emergency Information Form in her file. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed first aid training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has first aid certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed CPR training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has CPR certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(d) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. A staff member that cares for the children two years of age is required to complete 10 hours of on-going training. She has completed 2 hours as of today. She will need 8 additional hours immediately. .1103(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A staff member's first day was today and she did not have her qualification letter in her file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. There was no record that the staff hired on 10/17/23 completed this training within her first 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. A staff member that cares for the children 2 years completed the above training in May 2017. There is no documentation that she has completed the trainings again within 5 years. .1103(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: -Include in the annual evaluation or in the annual staff development plan an in-service training schedule to ensure that the required trainings are completed in a timely manner. Health and Safety trainings are required to be completed every five years; they can also be included in the plan. Review the Health and Safety documentation log with your staff. -It is important to make sure staffs' CPR/FA training does not expire. List all staff and when their CPR/FA is to expire and post where you can see it as a reminder. You will want to start looking and registering for the classes 60 days prior to the expatriation date so there is no overlap. -Do not allow staff to begin working until you have all required documents need by the first date of -I discussed with the staff in space four that the language area needs at least three diffract language activities and enough of each for three children to use. Some suggestions were made which included magnetic letters with metal cookie sheets, felt pieces with a felt board, letter/sight word puzzles or memory cards. -Menus should be done in advance and current menus need to be posted. The current menus were found and posted during the visit. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. I discussed with the staff that prepared the lunch that the menu needs to be revised prior to serving the children. She made the revisions on the menu after lunch was served. -It may be helpful to develop a plan for new staff to complete the required trainings within 90 days of hire. During orientation give them a date as to when they need to complete the the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. CONSULTATION: -We discussed a conflict that took place between two staff members during lunch time. It maybe helpful seek out a team building workshop or a conflict resolution workshop your staff can attend. Smart Start Rowan or CCRI may be able to provide a training or resources to help moral between staff. -The annual Emergency Information form does not need to go into the confidential staff health file. You will want this in the staffs' personnel file for easy access in case of an emergency. -It is important that if you write on the Staff and Training Worksheet that staff have experience working in a licensed child care facility that is reflected on their application or resume. -We discussed that you will need to update your Emergency Management Template for the EPR plan. Here is the link to access your EPR Plan: https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/portal.aspx#. -Health and Safety trainings cannot be older than 12 months from date of hire to be counted for new staff. New staff will have one year from the date of hire to complete the health and safety trainings. -You will need to complete the Change of Information form when you have new staff that bring you a CBC qualification letter that has not been completed recently. This form needs to be completed within five days of hire and submitted to the CBC Unit. The form can be found under “Provider Documents” on the DCDEE website. -Teaching staff are required to register with the Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS). DCDEE WORKS includes a self-service component known as the applicant portal. This is used by an individual applicant to register and maintain their workforce information to support education requirements. The portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual NCID username and password. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Violations must be corrected immediately. You shall submit a written/typed, signed and dated statement to me at the address noted below or email me detailing how the violations were corrected with exact dates and details including how you plan to prevent reoccurrence of such violations which must be received by April 16, 2024. Failure to correct the violation(s) and send the written statement by the established deadline listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit or an administrative action may be recommended based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2200. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed you a copy of today’s visit summary. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Leas Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082-0835 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 4/2/2024 Age: From 1 To 10 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this visit is to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. The last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2024. The three-star license effective April 13, 2020, was posted. The facility operates with a license for one hundred children on all three shifts, ages 0-14. The following restrictions are listed: daytime and overnight; through fourteen years of age; children under 2 ½ in rooms with direct exit and meets enhanced ratios. The 18-month compliance history prior to today's visit was at 92%. The Secretary of State’s website was monitored, and MOTHERS CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER is active and current. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, and she stated that you, Frankie Koontz-Lagrone, was at a meeting. In the meantime, Ms. Gather and I monitored the facility and available records. You arrived as I was typing the visit summary. I completed the "Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Centers" during today's visit. The children were observed during free choice activities indoors and outdoors, hand washing routines, lunch and naptime. Staff/child ratios, group size and supervision were monitored. The outdoor play area, outdoor play inspections and emergency drills were monitored. The fire inspection was conducted on May 16, 2023. A sanitation inspection was conducted on December 15, 2023, with nine demerits. There have been four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit. I monitored the new staff files and a portion of the existing staff files. Health and Safety requirements were monitored. There are 41 children enrolled and I monitored a portion of the children’s records. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. The language area in space 4 had enough books and enough wipe off markers and boards for three children. The language activity area needs one more activity. .0510(d)(1) 523 The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors. The activity plan posted in space 2 did not have a specific gross motor activity listed for today (4/2/24). .0508(g)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted in the classrooms and in the kitchen was for the week of 3/25/24. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed for today's lunch and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 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. A staff member began employment today and did not have a medical report in her file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A staff member began employment today and did not have a health questionnaire in her file. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. A staff member began employment today and did not have the Emergency Information Form in her file. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed first aid training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has first aid certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Three new staff hired between 5/19/23 and 10/17/23 have not completed CPR training within 90 days of hire. The staff member that cares for the children 2 years of age has CPR certification that expired on 11/19/23. .1102(d) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. A staff member that cares for the children two years of age is required to complete 10 hours of on-going training. She has completed 2 hours as of today. She will need 8 additional hours immediately. .1103(a) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A staff member's first day was today and she did not have her qualification letter in her file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. There was no record that the staff hired on 10/17/23 completed this training within her first 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. A staff member that cares for the children 2 years completed the above training in May 2017. There is no documentation that she has completed the trainings again within 5 years. .1103(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: -Include in the annual evaluation or in the annual staff development plan an in-service training schedule to ensure that the required trainings are completed in a timely manner. Health and Safety trainings are required to be completed every five years; they can also be included in the plan. Review the Health and Safety documentation log with your staff. -It is important to make sure staffs' CPR/FA training does not expire. List all staff and when their CPR/FA is to expire and post where you can see it as a reminder. You will want to start looking and registering for the classes 60 days prior to the expatriation date so there is no overlap. -Do not allow staff to begin working until you have all required documents need by the first date of -I discussed with the staff in space four that the language area needs at least three diffract language activities and enough of each for three children to use. Some suggestions were made which included magnetic letters with metal cookie sheets, felt pieces with a felt board, letter/sight word puzzles or memory cards. -Menus should be done in advance and current menus need to be posted. The current menus were found and posted during the visit. The menu had ground turkey, pasta, green beans and apple sauce listed and the children were served a peanut butter sandwich, mixed vegetables and apple sauce. I discussed with the staff that prepared the lunch that the menu needs to be revised prior to serving the children. She made the revisions on the menu after lunch was served. -It may be helpful to develop a plan for new staff to complete the required trainings within 90 days of hire. During orientation give them a date as to when they need to complete the the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. CONSULTATION: -We discussed a conflict that took place between two staff members during lunch time. It maybe helpful seek out a team building workshop or a conflict resolution workshop your staff can attend. Smart Start Rowan or CCRI may be able to provide a training or resources to help moral between staff. -The annual Emergency Information form does not need to go into the confidential staff health file. You will want this in the staffs' personnel file for easy access in case of an emergency. -It is important that if you write on the Staff and Training Worksheet that staff have experience working in a licensed child care facility that is reflected on their application or resume. -We discussed that you will need to update your Emergency Management Template for the EPR plan. Here is the link to access your EPR Plan: https://rmp.nc.gov/portal/portal.aspx#. -Health and Safety trainings cannot be older than 12 months from date of hire to be counted for new staff. New staff will have one year from the date of hire to complete the health and safety trainings. -You will need to complete the Change of Information form when you have new staff that bring you a CBC qualification letter that has not been completed recently. This form needs to be completed within five days of hire and submitted to the CBC Unit. The form can be found under “Provider Documents” on the DCDEE website. -Teaching staff are required to register with the Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS). DCDEE WORKS includes a self-service component known as the applicant portal. This is used by an individual applicant to register and maintain their workforce information to support education requirements. The portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual NCID username and password. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Violations must be corrected immediately. You shall submit a written/typed, signed and dated statement to me at the address noted below or email me detailing how the violations were corrected with exact dates and details including how you plan to prevent reoccurrence of such violations which must be received by April 16, 2024. Failure to correct the violation(s) and send the written statement by the established deadline listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit or an administrative action may be recommended based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2200. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed you a copy of today’s visit summary. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Leas Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082-0835 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

10A NCAC 09 .2200 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/1/2023 Number Present: 8 Completed Date: 11/1/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 75 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 10:30 AM 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 applicable child care requirements. The last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2023. The three-star license effective April 13, 2020 was posted. The facility operates with a license for one hundred children on all three shifts, ages 0-14. The following restrictions are listed: daytime and overnight; through fourteen of age; children under 2 ½ in rooms with direct exit and meets enhanced ratios. This program will be included in cohort two for the rated license process which will take place between July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Upon arrival, I was greeted by, Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, and she stated that you, Frankie Koontz-LaGrone, would not be at the facility until this afternoon. I monitored the following items: supervision, staff/child ratios, general safety, discipline, Emergency Medical Care Plan, administering of medication, storage of hazardous products and medications, adequate/approved space, program records, posted license and restrictions met. I was unable to monitor the emergency log, incident log and playground inspections because the documents were locked in Ms. Koontz-LaGrone’s office and you stated that you did not have a key to unlock the office. A fire inspection was conducted on May 16, 2023. A sanitation inspection was completed on June 28, 2023 with seven demerits and a superior rating. There were eight children present today. There were three new staff hired since my last visit. I was unable to monitor the files because they were located in the locked office. Please complete the Staff and Training Worksheet for the new staff and submit to me. The following violations were observed during today’s visit Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The classroom that cares for children two years of age had a lesson plan posted from last week. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 1739 All records required were not available for review by a representative of the Division. I was unable to review, playground inspections, emergency drills, incident log and staff files because they were locked in the director's office and staff did not have key to unlock it. .2318(1-8) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. .2820(c) Non-aerosol sanitizing, disinfecting, and detergent solutions, hand sanitizers, and hand lotions shall be kept out of reach of children when not in use, but are not required to be in locked storage. These solutions shall be labeled as sanitizing, disinfecting, or detergent (soapy water) solutions. Hand soap other than that which is in bulk containers is not required to be kept out of reach of children or in locked storage. The classroom that cares for children two years of age had a hand sanitizer pump on the children's sink. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/RESOURCES/REMINNDERS: -A plan will need to be put in place to assure that all records are accessible to the DCDEE representative during a visit when the director is not present. -Delegate a staff member to monitor each classroom Monday morning prior to children arriving to assure that all have a current lesson plan posted. -Remind each staff member to monitor their classroom daily prior to the children arriving to assure that there are no safety/hazardous concerns. -The summary of the law has been updated. It 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. -Kimberly Cruz, Child Care Health Consultant, is available for assistance with health education for staff and children. You can reach her at kimberly.cruz@rowancountync.gov or704-216-8806. -The North Carolina child Care Resource and Referral Council (CCR&R) now has a challenging behavior helpline that staff can call and speak to a Behavior Support Advisor for advice and resources specific to the challenging behaviors in their classrooms: 1-888-600-1685 option 1. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Violations must be corrected immediately. You shall submit a written/typed, signed and dated statement to me at the address noted below or email me detailing how the violations were corrected with exact dates and details including how you plan to prevent reoccurrence of such violations which must be received by November 15, 2023. Failure to correct the violation(s) and send the written statement by the established deadline listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit or an administrative action may be recommended based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2200. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed today’s visit summary to Ms. Koontz-LaGrone for her records. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor Erin Pickard at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082-0835 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: A MOTHER'S CHOICE CHILDCARE CENTER Facility ID: 80000384 Consultant: CAROLYN CONLEY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/1/2023 Number Present: 8 Completed Date: 11/1/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 75 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 10:30 AM 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 applicable child care requirements. The last Annual Compliance visit was conducted on April 5, 2023. The three-star license effective April 13, 2020 was posted. The facility operates with a license for one hundred children on all three shifts, ages 0-14. The following restrictions are listed: daytime and overnight; through fourteen of age; children under 2 ½ in rooms with direct exit and meets enhanced ratios. This program will be included in cohort two for the rated license process which will take place between July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Upon arrival, I was greeted by, Valerie Gaither, Assistant Director, and she stated that you, Frankie Koontz-LaGrone, would not be at the facility until this afternoon. I monitored the following items: supervision, staff/child ratios, general safety, discipline, Emergency Medical Care Plan, administering of medication, storage of hazardous products and medications, adequate/approved space, program records, posted license and restrictions met. I was unable to monitor the emergency log, incident log and playground inspections because the documents were locked in Ms. Koontz-LaGrone’s office and you stated that you did not have a key to unlock the office. A fire inspection was conducted on May 16, 2023. A sanitation inspection was completed on June 28, 2023 with seven demerits and a superior rating. There were eight children present today. There were three new staff hired since my last visit. I was unable to monitor the files because they were located in the locked office. Please complete the Staff and Training Worksheet for the new staff and submit to me. The following violations were observed during today’s visit Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The classroom that cares for children two years of age had a lesson plan posted from last week. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 1739 All records required were not available for review by a representative of the Division. I was unable to review, playground inspections, emergency drills, incident log and staff files because they were locked in the director's office and staff did not have key to unlock it. .2318(1-8) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. .2820(c) Non-aerosol sanitizing, disinfecting, and detergent solutions, hand sanitizers, and hand lotions shall be kept out of reach of children when not in use, but are not required to be in locked storage. These solutions shall be labeled as sanitizing, disinfecting, or detergent (soapy water) solutions. Hand soap other than that which is in bulk containers is not required to be kept out of reach of children or in locked storage. The classroom that cares for children two years of age had a hand sanitizer pump on the children's sink. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/RESOURCES/REMINNDERS: -A plan will need to be put in place to assure that all records are accessible to the DCDEE representative during a visit when the director is not present. -Delegate a staff member to monitor each classroom Monday morning prior to children arriving to assure that all have a current lesson plan posted. -Remind each staff member to monitor their classroom daily prior to the children arriving to assure that there are no safety/hazardous concerns. -The summary of the law has been updated. It 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. -Kimberly Cruz, Child Care Health Consultant, is available for assistance with health education for staff and children. You can reach her at kimberly.cruz@rowancountync.gov or704-216-8806. -The North Carolina child Care Resource and Referral Council (CCR&R) now has a challenging behavior helpline that staff can call and speak to a Behavior Support Advisor for advice and resources specific to the challenging behaviors in their classrooms: 1-888-600-1685 option 1. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Violations must be corrected immediately. You shall submit a written/typed, signed and dated statement to me at the address noted below or email me detailing how the violations were corrected with exact dates and details including how you plan to prevent reoccurrence of such violations which must be received by November 15, 2023. Failure to correct the violation(s) and send the written statement by the established deadline listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit or an administrative action may be recommended based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2200. The documentation was completed electronically and reviewed with you during the visit. I emailed today’s visit summary to Ms. Koontz-LaGrone for her records. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have any questions, please contact me at: 704-594-0149 or carolyn.conley@dhhs.nc.gov. or my supervisor Erin Pickard at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Carolyn Conley Child Care Consultant Regulatory Services Section/DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education Post Office Box 835 Kannapolis, NC 28082-0835 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