Higher Praise Learning Center

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: Higher Praise Learning Center Facility ID: 80000419 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/18/2026 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 3/18/2026 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance for applicable child care requirements during a Routine Unannounced visit. Your facility’s compliance history score after today’s visit was 88%. You, Devoris Forbes, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a GS 110-106 Notice of Compliance. I monitored the following required postings: NC Child Care Summary of the Law, Sanitation placard, Emergency Medical Care Plan, staff-child ratio worksheet, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans, Children were adequately supervised, staff-child ratios were maintained, adequate approved space was in use and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. The children were engaged in rest time, handwashing, snack time, and free choice activities indoors and outdoors. You stated that no children currently enrolled require 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 September 18, 2025, with six (6) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on July 1, 2025. There have been three new staff members have been hired since the last visit. I monitored the staff files and current training. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not made available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 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. An electrical outlet in Space 1 was not covered with a safety outlet. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees (DOH: 10/30/2025 and 3/2/2026) did not have a medical statement on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. An employee hired 10/30/2025 did not have a TB test or screening on 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. The Emergency Information Form for three employees (DOH: 10/30/25, 10/30/25, and 3/2/206) did not include a choice of a health care professional. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee hired 3/2/2026 received their Criminal Background Check on 3/11/2026. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A qualification letter for an employee hired on 3/2/2026 was not on file and available for review. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 child care operator did not notify the Division of three (3) child care providers within five business days of being hired. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The facility has not conducted a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill since opening. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. Three employees (DOH: 10/30/2025, 10/30/2025, and 3/2/2026) did not have a signed acknowledgement indicating the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed. .0608(d)(1-4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • To ensure the safety of children, it is essential that arrival and departure times are documented as children arrive and leave the facility. This documentation needs to be retained at the facility for a minimum of one year after the record was created. You stated that the arrival and departure time records had been taken to the Department of Social Services for review and were not at the facility at the time of the visit. • Today I shared the Staff File Checklist and suggested that you utilize the form as a consistent tool to verify that all required documents are obtained prior to an employee’s first day. We discussed that required documentation, including the Criminal Background Check, TB test or screening, and a medical report signed by a healthcare professional, is noted on the Staff File Checklist and must be obtained prior to the individual working. Having complete personnel files prior to employment supports child safety and ensures that individuals working with children are cleared to do so. I also encouraged you to review all documents thoroughly to ensure they include all required information. • We reviewed the requirement that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be reviewed and signed before an employee can care for children. The signed acknowledgement must be maintained in the personnel file. I suggested incorporating this into the employees’ first day of orientation prior to caring for children. • Today I encouraged you to complete a daily safety check of the classrooms prior to children arriving to check for hazards such as uncovered outlets. Item # 812 was corrected today by placing a safety plug in the uncovered outlet in Space 1. • Per child care rule .2703(r), operators must notify the Division of all new child care providers within five (5) business days of being hired. This is completed through the ABCMS Provider Portal. Providers are required to obtain access to the ABCMS Provider Portal in order to report new employees. Access to the Provider Portal is granted by the CBC Unit after you complete the required Moodle training and submit the signed PowerForm available at the conclusion of the training. Once access has been approved, you must log in to the ABCMS Provider Portal to locate the facility’s unique provider code. This code will be shared with employees and household members so they can complete a connecting application to be associated with the Family Child Care Home. You may access the Moodle and ABCMS Provider Portal Guide which provides step-by-step instructions here: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/DCDEE-Sections/Criminal-Background-Check-Unit/Basic-Information If you have any issues or questions regarding the ABCMS Provider Portal, please email DCDEE_ABCMS_PROVIDER@dhhs.nc.gov or you may call (919) 814-8401. • A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill must be conducted at least every three months. A record of each drill must be maintained and include the date the drill was held, the time of day, the length of time taken to reach the designated location, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. We discussed the importance of these drills to ensure the safety of children and to help them feel comfortable and understand what to do in the event of an emergency. I suggested that you place a reminder on your calendar to ensure that an emergency drill is conducted every three months. CONSULTATION: • You stated that you participate in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program. We discussed that participation requires compliance with staff orientation and training requirements, including new staff orientation, health and safety trainings, playground safety training, Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment training, and ongoing inspection requirements as outlined in 10A NCAC 09 .1101, .1102, and .0304. I provided you with printed documentation outlining these requirements to support tracking and compliance moving forward. • Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. • 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. • 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 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 April 1, 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

10A NCAC 09 .0302 · Violation

Name of Operation: Higher Praise Learning Center Facility ID: 80000419 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/18/2026 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 3/18/2026 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance for applicable child care requirements during a Routine Unannounced visit. Your facility’s compliance history score after today’s visit was 88%. You, Devoris Forbes, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a GS 110-106 Notice of Compliance. I monitored the following required postings: NC Child Care Summary of the Law, Sanitation placard, Emergency Medical Care Plan, staff-child ratio worksheet, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans, Children were adequately supervised, staff-child ratios were maintained, adequate approved space was in use and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. The children were engaged in rest time, handwashing, snack time, and free choice activities indoors and outdoors. You stated that no children currently enrolled require 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 September 18, 2025, with six (6) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on July 1, 2025. There have been three new staff members have been hired since the last visit. I monitored the staff files and current training. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not made available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 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. An electrical outlet in Space 1 was not covered with a safety outlet. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees (DOH: 10/30/2025 and 3/2/2026) did not have a medical statement on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. An employee hired 10/30/2025 did not have a TB test or screening on 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. The Emergency Information Form for three employees (DOH: 10/30/25, 10/30/25, and 3/2/206) did not include a choice of a health care professional. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee hired 3/2/2026 received their Criminal Background Check on 3/11/2026. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A qualification letter for an employee hired on 3/2/2026 was not on file and available for review. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 child care operator did not notify the Division of three (3) child care providers within five business days of being hired. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The facility has not conducted a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill since opening. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. Three employees (DOH: 10/30/2025, 10/30/2025, and 3/2/2026) did not have a signed acknowledgement indicating the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed. .0608(d)(1-4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • To ensure the safety of children, it is essential that arrival and departure times are documented as children arrive and leave the facility. This documentation needs to be retained at the facility for a minimum of one year after the record was created. You stated that the arrival and departure time records had been taken to the Department of Social Services for review and were not at the facility at the time of the visit. • Today I shared the Staff File Checklist and suggested that you utilize the form as a consistent tool to verify that all required documents are obtained prior to an employee’s first day. We discussed that required documentation, including the Criminal Background Check, TB test or screening, and a medical report signed by a healthcare professional, is noted on the Staff File Checklist and must be obtained prior to the individual working. Having complete personnel files prior to employment supports child safety and ensures that individuals working with children are cleared to do so. I also encouraged you to review all documents thoroughly to ensure they include all required information. • We reviewed the requirement that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be reviewed and signed before an employee can care for children. The signed acknowledgement must be maintained in the personnel file. I suggested incorporating this into the employees’ first day of orientation prior to caring for children. • Today I encouraged you to complete a daily safety check of the classrooms prior to children arriving to check for hazards such as uncovered outlets. Item # 812 was corrected today by placing a safety plug in the uncovered outlet in Space 1. • Per child care rule .2703(r), operators must notify the Division of all new child care providers within five (5) business days of being hired. This is completed through the ABCMS Provider Portal. Providers are required to obtain access to the ABCMS Provider Portal in order to report new employees. Access to the Provider Portal is granted by the CBC Unit after you complete the required Moodle training and submit the signed PowerForm available at the conclusion of the training. Once access has been approved, you must log in to the ABCMS Provider Portal to locate the facility’s unique provider code. This code will be shared with employees and household members so they can complete a connecting application to be associated with the Family Child Care Home. You may access the Moodle and ABCMS Provider Portal Guide which provides step-by-step instructions here: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/DCDEE-Sections/Criminal-Background-Check-Unit/Basic-Information If you have any issues or questions regarding the ABCMS Provider Portal, please email DCDEE_ABCMS_PROVIDER@dhhs.nc.gov or you may call (919) 814-8401. • A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill must be conducted at least every three months. A record of each drill must be maintained and include the date the drill was held, the time of day, the length of time taken to reach the designated location, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. We discussed the importance of these drills to ensure the safety of children and to help them feel comfortable and understand what to do in the event of an emergency. I suggested that you place a reminder on your calendar to ensure that an emergency drill is conducted every three months. CONSULTATION: • You stated that you participate in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program. We discussed that participation requires compliance with staff orientation and training requirements, including new staff orientation, health and safety trainings, playground safety training, Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment training, and ongoing inspection requirements as outlined in 10A NCAC 09 .1101, .1102, and .0304. I provided you with printed documentation outlining these requirements to support tracking and compliance moving forward. • Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. • 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. • 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 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 April 1, 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

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: Higher Praise Learning Center Facility ID: 80000419 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/18/2026 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 3/18/2026 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance for applicable child care requirements during a Routine Unannounced visit. Your facility’s compliance history score after today’s visit was 88%. You, Devoris Forbes, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a GS 110-106 Notice of Compliance. I monitored the following required postings: NC Child Care Summary of the Law, Sanitation placard, Emergency Medical Care Plan, staff-child ratio worksheet, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans, Children were adequately supervised, staff-child ratios were maintained, adequate approved space was in use and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. The children were engaged in rest time, handwashing, snack time, and free choice activities indoors and outdoors. You stated that no children currently enrolled require 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 September 18, 2025, with six (6) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on July 1, 2025. There have been three new staff members have been hired since the last visit. I monitored the staff files and current training. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not made available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 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. An electrical outlet in Space 1 was not covered with a safety outlet. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees (DOH: 10/30/2025 and 3/2/2026) did not have a medical statement on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. An employee hired 10/30/2025 did not have a TB test or screening on 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. The Emergency Information Form for three employees (DOH: 10/30/25, 10/30/25, and 3/2/206) did not include a choice of a health care professional. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee hired 3/2/2026 received their Criminal Background Check on 3/11/2026. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A qualification letter for an employee hired on 3/2/2026 was not on file and available for review. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 child care operator did not notify the Division of three (3) child care providers within five business days of being hired. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The facility has not conducted a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill since opening. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. Three employees (DOH: 10/30/2025, 10/30/2025, and 3/2/2026) did not have a signed acknowledgement indicating the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed. .0608(d)(1-4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • To ensure the safety of children, it is essential that arrival and departure times are documented as children arrive and leave the facility. This documentation needs to be retained at the facility for a minimum of one year after the record was created. You stated that the arrival and departure time records had been taken to the Department of Social Services for review and were not at the facility at the time of the visit. • Today I shared the Staff File Checklist and suggested that you utilize the form as a consistent tool to verify that all required documents are obtained prior to an employee’s first day. We discussed that required documentation, including the Criminal Background Check, TB test or screening, and a medical report signed by a healthcare professional, is noted on the Staff File Checklist and must be obtained prior to the individual working. Having complete personnel files prior to employment supports child safety and ensures that individuals working with children are cleared to do so. I also encouraged you to review all documents thoroughly to ensure they include all required information. • We reviewed the requirement that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be reviewed and signed before an employee can care for children. The signed acknowledgement must be maintained in the personnel file. I suggested incorporating this into the employees’ first day of orientation prior to caring for children. • Today I encouraged you to complete a daily safety check of the classrooms prior to children arriving to check for hazards such as uncovered outlets. Item # 812 was corrected today by placing a safety plug in the uncovered outlet in Space 1. • Per child care rule .2703(r), operators must notify the Division of all new child care providers within five (5) business days of being hired. This is completed through the ABCMS Provider Portal. Providers are required to obtain access to the ABCMS Provider Portal in order to report new employees. Access to the Provider Portal is granted by the CBC Unit after you complete the required Moodle training and submit the signed PowerForm available at the conclusion of the training. Once access has been approved, you must log in to the ABCMS Provider Portal to locate the facility’s unique provider code. This code will be shared with employees and household members so they can complete a connecting application to be associated with the Family Child Care Home. You may access the Moodle and ABCMS Provider Portal Guide which provides step-by-step instructions here: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/DCDEE-Sections/Criminal-Background-Check-Unit/Basic-Information If you have any issues or questions regarding the ABCMS Provider Portal, please email DCDEE_ABCMS_PROVIDER@dhhs.nc.gov or you may call (919) 814-8401. • A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill must be conducted at least every three months. A record of each drill must be maintained and include the date the drill was held, the time of day, the length of time taken to reach the designated location, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. We discussed the importance of these drills to ensure the safety of children and to help them feel comfortable and understand what to do in the event of an emergency. I suggested that you place a reminder on your calendar to ensure that an emergency drill is conducted every three months. CONSULTATION: • You stated that you participate in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program. We discussed that participation requires compliance with staff orientation and training requirements, including new staff orientation, health and safety trainings, playground safety training, Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment training, and ongoing inspection requirements as outlined in 10A NCAC 09 .1101, .1102, and .0304. I provided you with printed documentation outlining these requirements to support tracking and compliance moving forward. • Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. • 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. • 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 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 April 1, 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

10A NCAC 09 .1101 · Violation

Name of Operation: Higher Praise Learning Center Facility ID: 80000419 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/18/2026 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 3/18/2026 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance for applicable child care requirements during a Routine Unannounced visit. Your facility’s compliance history score after today’s visit was 88%. You, Devoris Forbes, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a GS 110-106 Notice of Compliance. I monitored the following required postings: NC Child Care Summary of the Law, Sanitation placard, Emergency Medical Care Plan, staff-child ratio worksheet, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans, Children were adequately supervised, staff-child ratios were maintained, adequate approved space was in use and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. The children were engaged in rest time, handwashing, snack time, and free choice activities indoors and outdoors. You stated that no children currently enrolled require 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 September 18, 2025, with six (6) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on July 1, 2025. There have been three new staff members have been hired since the last visit. I monitored the staff files and current training. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not made available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 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. An electrical outlet in Space 1 was not covered with a safety outlet. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees (DOH: 10/30/2025 and 3/2/2026) did not have a medical statement on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. An employee hired 10/30/2025 did not have a TB test or screening on 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. The Emergency Information Form for three employees (DOH: 10/30/25, 10/30/25, and 3/2/206) did not include a choice of a health care professional. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee hired 3/2/2026 received their Criminal Background Check on 3/11/2026. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A qualification letter for an employee hired on 3/2/2026 was not on file and available for review. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 child care operator did not notify the Division of three (3) child care providers within five business days of being hired. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The facility has not conducted a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill since opening. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. Three employees (DOH: 10/30/2025, 10/30/2025, and 3/2/2026) did not have a signed acknowledgement indicating the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed. .0608(d)(1-4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • To ensure the safety of children, it is essential that arrival and departure times are documented as children arrive and leave the facility. This documentation needs to be retained at the facility for a minimum of one year after the record was created. You stated that the arrival and departure time records had been taken to the Department of Social Services for review and were not at the facility at the time of the visit. • Today I shared the Staff File Checklist and suggested that you utilize the form as a consistent tool to verify that all required documents are obtained prior to an employee’s first day. We discussed that required documentation, including the Criminal Background Check, TB test or screening, and a medical report signed by a healthcare professional, is noted on the Staff File Checklist and must be obtained prior to the individual working. Having complete personnel files prior to employment supports child safety and ensures that individuals working with children are cleared to do so. I also encouraged you to review all documents thoroughly to ensure they include all required information. • We reviewed the requirement that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be reviewed and signed before an employee can care for children. The signed acknowledgement must be maintained in the personnel file. I suggested incorporating this into the employees’ first day of orientation prior to caring for children. • Today I encouraged you to complete a daily safety check of the classrooms prior to children arriving to check for hazards such as uncovered outlets. Item # 812 was corrected today by placing a safety plug in the uncovered outlet in Space 1. • Per child care rule .2703(r), operators must notify the Division of all new child care providers within five (5) business days of being hired. This is completed through the ABCMS Provider Portal. Providers are required to obtain access to the ABCMS Provider Portal in order to report new employees. Access to the Provider Portal is granted by the CBC Unit after you complete the required Moodle training and submit the signed PowerForm available at the conclusion of the training. Once access has been approved, you must log in to the ABCMS Provider Portal to locate the facility’s unique provider code. This code will be shared with employees and household members so they can complete a connecting application to be associated with the Family Child Care Home. You may access the Moodle and ABCMS Provider Portal Guide which provides step-by-step instructions here: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/DCDEE-Sections/Criminal-Background-Check-Unit/Basic-Information If you have any issues or questions regarding the ABCMS Provider Portal, please email DCDEE_ABCMS_PROVIDER@dhhs.nc.gov or you may call (919) 814-8401. • A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill must be conducted at least every three months. A record of each drill must be maintained and include the date the drill was held, the time of day, the length of time taken to reach the designated location, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. We discussed the importance of these drills to ensure the safety of children and to help them feel comfortable and understand what to do in the event of an emergency. I suggested that you place a reminder on your calendar to ensure that an emergency drill is conducted every three months. CONSULTATION: • You stated that you participate in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program. We discussed that participation requires compliance with staff orientation and training requirements, including new staff orientation, health and safety trainings, playground safety training, Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment training, and ongoing inspection requirements as outlined in 10A NCAC 09 .1101, .1102, and .0304. I provided you with printed documentation outlining these requirements to support tracking and compliance moving forward. • Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. • 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. • 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 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 April 1, 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: Higher Praise Learning Center Facility ID: 80000419 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/18/2026 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 3/18/2026 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance for applicable child care requirements during a Routine Unannounced visit. Your facility’s compliance history score after today’s visit was 88%. You, Devoris Forbes, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a GS 110-106 Notice of Compliance. I monitored the following required postings: NC Child Care Summary of the Law, Sanitation placard, Emergency Medical Care Plan, staff-child ratio worksheet, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans, Children were adequately supervised, staff-child ratios were maintained, adequate approved space was in use and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. The children were engaged in rest time, handwashing, snack time, and free choice activities indoors and outdoors. You stated that no children currently enrolled require 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 September 18, 2025, with six (6) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on July 1, 2025. There have been three new staff members have been hired since the last visit. I monitored the staff files and current training. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not made available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 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. An electrical outlet in Space 1 was not covered with a safety outlet. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees (DOH: 10/30/2025 and 3/2/2026) did not have a medical statement on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. An employee hired 10/30/2025 did not have a TB test or screening on 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. The Emergency Information Form for three employees (DOH: 10/30/25, 10/30/25, and 3/2/206) did not include a choice of a health care professional. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee hired 3/2/2026 received their Criminal Background Check on 3/11/2026. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A qualification letter for an employee hired on 3/2/2026 was not on file and available for review. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 child care operator did not notify the Division of three (3) child care providers within five business days of being hired. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The facility has not conducted a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill since opening. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. Three employees (DOH: 10/30/2025, 10/30/2025, and 3/2/2026) did not have a signed acknowledgement indicating the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed. .0608(d)(1-4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • To ensure the safety of children, it is essential that arrival and departure times are documented as children arrive and leave the facility. This documentation needs to be retained at the facility for a minimum of one year after the record was created. You stated that the arrival and departure time records had been taken to the Department of Social Services for review and were not at the facility at the time of the visit. • Today I shared the Staff File Checklist and suggested that you utilize the form as a consistent tool to verify that all required documents are obtained prior to an employee’s first day. We discussed that required documentation, including the Criminal Background Check, TB test or screening, and a medical report signed by a healthcare professional, is noted on the Staff File Checklist and must be obtained prior to the individual working. Having complete personnel files prior to employment supports child safety and ensures that individuals working with children are cleared to do so. I also encouraged you to review all documents thoroughly to ensure they include all required information. • We reviewed the requirement that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be reviewed and signed before an employee can care for children. The signed acknowledgement must be maintained in the personnel file. I suggested incorporating this into the employees’ first day of orientation prior to caring for children. • Today I encouraged you to complete a daily safety check of the classrooms prior to children arriving to check for hazards such as uncovered outlets. Item # 812 was corrected today by placing a safety plug in the uncovered outlet in Space 1. • Per child care rule .2703(r), operators must notify the Division of all new child care providers within five (5) business days of being hired. This is completed through the ABCMS Provider Portal. Providers are required to obtain access to the ABCMS Provider Portal in order to report new employees. Access to the Provider Portal is granted by the CBC Unit after you complete the required Moodle training and submit the signed PowerForm available at the conclusion of the training. Once access has been approved, you must log in to the ABCMS Provider Portal to locate the facility’s unique provider code. This code will be shared with employees and household members so they can complete a connecting application to be associated with the Family Child Care Home. You may access the Moodle and ABCMS Provider Portal Guide which provides step-by-step instructions here: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/DCDEE-Sections/Criminal-Background-Check-Unit/Basic-Information If you have any issues or questions regarding the ABCMS Provider Portal, please email DCDEE_ABCMS_PROVIDER@dhhs.nc.gov or you may call (919) 814-8401. • A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill must be conducted at least every three months. A record of each drill must be maintained and include the date the drill was held, the time of day, the length of time taken to reach the designated location, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. We discussed the importance of these drills to ensure the safety of children and to help them feel comfortable and understand what to do in the event of an emergency. I suggested that you place a reminder on your calendar to ensure that an emergency drill is conducted every three months. CONSULTATION: • You stated that you participate in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program. We discussed that participation requires compliance with staff orientation and training requirements, including new staff orientation, health and safety trainings, playground safety training, Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment training, and ongoing inspection requirements as outlined in 10A NCAC 09 .1101, .1102, and .0304. I provided you with printed documentation outlining these requirements to support tracking and compliance moving forward. • Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. • 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. • 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 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 April 1, 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 110-106 · Violation

Name of Operation: Higher Praise Learning Center Facility ID: 80000419 Consultant: ASHLYNN VAUGHAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/18/2026 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 3/18/2026 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 200 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 04:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance for applicable child care requirements during a Routine Unannounced visit. Your facility’s compliance history score after today’s visit was 88%. You, Devoris Forbes, Administrator, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a GS 110-106 Notice of Compliance. I monitored the following required postings: NC Child Care Summary of the Law, Sanitation placard, Emergency Medical Care Plan, staff-child ratio worksheet, First Aid poster, tobacco free policy signage and evacuation plans, Children were adequately supervised, staff-child ratios were maintained, adequate approved space was in use and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. A walk-through of the indoor and outdoor spaces was completed. The children were engaged in rest time, handwashing, snack time, and free choice activities indoors and outdoors. You stated that no children currently enrolled require 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 September 18, 2025, with six (6) demerits and a superior classification. A fire inspection was conducted on July 1, 2025. There have been three new staff members have been hired since the last visit. I monitored the staff files and current training. Your signature on all forms served and will serve as verification the information provided was accurate and complete. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. The daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not made available for review. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 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. An electrical outlet in Space 1 was not covered with a safety outlet. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two employees (DOH: 10/30/2025 and 3/2/2026) did not have a medical statement on file. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. An employee hired 10/30/2025 did not have a TB test or screening on 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. The Emergency Information Form for three employees (DOH: 10/30/25, 10/30/25, and 3/2/206) did not include a choice of a health care professional. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee hired 3/2/2026 received their Criminal Background Check on 3/11/2026. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A qualification letter for an employee hired on 3/2/2026 was not on file and available for review. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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 child care operator did not notify the Division of three (3) child care providers within five business days of being hired. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The facility has not conducted a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill since opening. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. Three employees (DOH: 10/30/2025, 10/30/2025, and 3/2/2026) did not have a signed acknowledgement indicating the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed. .0608(d)(1-4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: • To ensure the safety of children, it is essential that arrival and departure times are documented as children arrive and leave the facility. This documentation needs to be retained at the facility for a minimum of one year after the record was created. You stated that the arrival and departure time records had been taken to the Department of Social Services for review and were not at the facility at the time of the visit. • Today I shared the Staff File Checklist and suggested that you utilize the form as a consistent tool to verify that all required documents are obtained prior to an employee’s first day. We discussed that required documentation, including the Criminal Background Check, TB test or screening, and a medical report signed by a healthcare professional, is noted on the Staff File Checklist and must be obtained prior to the individual working. Having complete personnel files prior to employment supports child safety and ensures that individuals working with children are cleared to do so. I also encouraged you to review all documents thoroughly to ensure they include all required information. • We reviewed the requirement that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be reviewed and signed before an employee can care for children. The signed acknowledgement must be maintained in the personnel file. I suggested incorporating this into the employees’ first day of orientation prior to caring for children. • Today I encouraged you to complete a daily safety check of the classrooms prior to children arriving to check for hazards such as uncovered outlets. Item # 812 was corrected today by placing a safety plug in the uncovered outlet in Space 1. • Per child care rule .2703(r), operators must notify the Division of all new child care providers within five (5) business days of being hired. This is completed through the ABCMS Provider Portal. Providers are required to obtain access to the ABCMS Provider Portal in order to report new employees. Access to the Provider Portal is granted by the CBC Unit after you complete the required Moodle training and submit the signed PowerForm available at the conclusion of the training. Once access has been approved, you must log in to the ABCMS Provider Portal to locate the facility’s unique provider code. This code will be shared with employees and household members so they can complete a connecting application to be associated with the Family Child Care Home. You may access the Moodle and ABCMS Provider Portal Guide which provides step-by-step instructions here: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/DCDEE-Sections/Criminal-Background-Check-Unit/Basic-Information If you have any issues or questions regarding the ABCMS Provider Portal, please email DCDEE_ABCMS_PROVIDER@dhhs.nc.gov or you may call (919) 814-8401. • A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill must be conducted at least every three months. A record of each drill must be maintained and include the date the drill was held, the time of day, the length of time taken to reach the designated location, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. We discussed the importance of these drills to ensure the safety of children and to help them feel comfortable and understand what to do in the event of an emergency. I suggested that you place a reminder on your calendar to ensure that an emergency drill is conducted every three months. CONSULTATION: • You stated that you participate in the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program. We discussed that participation requires compliance with staff orientation and training requirements, including new staff orientation, health and safety trainings, playground safety training, Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment training, and ongoing inspection requirements as outlined in 10A NCAC 09 .1101, .1102, and .0304. I provided you with printed documentation outlining these requirements to support tracking and compliance moving forward. • Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. • 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. • 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 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 April 1, 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