10A NCAC 09 .0710 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: NATALIE M. POND Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/3/2025 Number Present: 117 Completed Date: 11/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 01:30 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 for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Garner, Lead Child Care Consultant, assisted me with this visit. Your program currently operates with a Five Star Rated License issued April 27, 2022. Restrictions on the license include a first shift capacity of one hundred ninety-nine (199) children ages 0-12 years, meets enhanced ratios, and meets enhanced space. The last annual compliance visit was completed on November 5, 2024. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty-six percent (86%) as of October 28, 2025. The sanitation inspection was completed on June 24, 2025 with a “Superior” classification. The fire inspection was completed on August 7, 2025 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The Secretary of State website was reviewed on October 28, 2025 and Sawda, LLC was listed as current-active. S. Williams, owner/administrator was present for the visit. There were one hundred sixty-four (164) children enrolled and one hundred seventeen (117) children present. Approved indoor and outdoor spaces were observed today. Age-appropriate materials were accessible to all children and spaces were arranged into activity areas. Children in spaces one (1) and nine (9) were outside. They were observed using ride on toys, playing on stationary climbers, and engaged in sand play. Children in space ten (10) were involved in free play throughout the classroom, using stencils, lacing cards, magnet toys, and blocks. Children in spaces two (2), four (4), and seven (7) were having lunch. Children in spaces five (5) and seven (7) were preparing for lunch and engaged in music and story time activities. Infants received care according to individual needs. Individual feeding schedules and safe sleep checks are being maintained. Supervision and staff-child ratios were observed and found to be in compliance. Lunch consisted of whole wheat chicken tenders, tater tots, raisins, and milk. Staff and Training Worksheets- There were thirty-three (33) staff members employed at this facility. All new staff and a percentage of veteran staff’s files were reviewed. NC Pre-K monitoring: The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes were verified in compliance. Children attend the program from 8:15 am to 2:45 pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum/Teaching Strategies for their curriculum and ongoing assessments. Developmental Screenings were being completed and Health Assessments were collected. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications. Evidence of family engagement, sharing on-going assessments with families, and procedures for contacting families when children are absent for more than three (3) consecutive days were observed. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In space 2, one (1) written authorization for diaper cream was not dated. In space 7, two (2) written authorizations for diaper cream were not dated. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In space 7, one (1) diaper cream was expired and one written authorization for diaper cream was expired. .0803(12) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen (18)-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five (75) percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before November 17, 2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. Please note, if the compliance letter is not received by the agreed-upon date, a follow-up visit may be made to verify compliance. Mail or email the information to: Natalie Pond, Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 4 Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 Natalie.m.pond@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. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance: Violations were cited for expired and undated parent permission forms for diaper creams and an expired diaper cream. To ensure health and safety of the children, it is important to keep records and forms updated. Consider putting a plan in place to regularly check permission slips for completeness and current dates, in addition to expiration dates of the creams being used. Items such as staff health questionnaires, emergency information, and evaluations must be updated annually. I suggest you select a certain month each year to complete these and set a reminder on your calendar so records will always be current. Training: Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment: All staff must complete Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment within 90 days of hire and must complete all required training topics on the staff orientation document which is available on the DCDEE website under provider documents and forms. Health and Safety Training: Health and Safety Trainings must be completed by all staff within one year of employment and every five years thereafter. You can access these training courses for free on DCDEE’s website www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov by going to Provider, Professional Training, and DCDEE Moodle. North Carolina Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0710 (b) regarding pre-service requirements for lead teachers ad teachers states: A lead teacher or a teacher shall be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have one of the following: (1) One year of child care experience working in a child care center or two years of verifiable experience as a licensed family child care home operator; or (2) Completion of a two year high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education; or (3) Twenty hours of training in child development, which shall include the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework, within the first six months of employment in addition to the number of on-going training hours required in Rule .1103. If a staff member has less than one year of experience and no formal education past high school, they will need to complete 20 hours of in-service training within their first six months of employment and an additional 20 hours of in-service training for their annual training. Licensing Fees: License fees are based on the first shift capacity as shown on the childcare license as of October 1st of each year for all active facilities. The NC Department of Health and Human Services Controller's Office will mail license fee invoices during the month of October. Payments must be paid 30 days from receipt of the invoice. Please carefully follow the directions on the invoice to ensure your facility's payment is made using an acceptable method. Partial payments or pre-payment will not be accepted. Payments must include your facility's ID# on the childcare license. The 2025-2026 Annual Child Care Immunization Report Reporting Portal is now open, and reports must be submitted electronically by midnight, November 15, 2025. Instructions and worksheets are available for download and may be used to collect data needed before entering your individual school information online. For more information, download the 2025 Annual Childcare Immunization Report Memo. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflected the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing, lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Asbestos testing enrollment was started but not complete. Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition has begun with the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform and •If you were unable to attend the webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars, the sessions were recorded and are posted on the QRIS Modernization page. • Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. Today, I completed a QRIS Conversation Template for your facility. You reported that your facility is planning to choose the Pathway 2, Classroom and Instructional Quality. A copy of this template is attached to this visit summary. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities in order to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to working with you on your pathway to the stars! Education Standards: The WORKS portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual North Carolina Identity Management (NCID) username and password. Only official unopened transcripts will be submitted to the Workforce Education Unit, all other documents will be uploaded by the applicant. All staff need to ensure that current education information has been submitted to WORKS and that they have requested the appropriate evaluation for their position. It typically takes WORKS 4-6 weeks to complete an evaluation. Stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. This website enables you to view the entire Law and Child Care Requirements for North Carolina as well as download required forms. Click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting child care in North Carolina. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at 910-364-4898 or Natalie.m.pond@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .0803 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: NATALIE M. POND Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/3/2025 Number Present: 117 Completed Date: 11/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 01:30 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 for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Garner, Lead Child Care Consultant, assisted me with this visit. Your program currently operates with a Five Star Rated License issued April 27, 2022. Restrictions on the license include a first shift capacity of one hundred ninety-nine (199) children ages 0-12 years, meets enhanced ratios, and meets enhanced space. The last annual compliance visit was completed on November 5, 2024. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty-six percent (86%) as of October 28, 2025. The sanitation inspection was completed on June 24, 2025 with a “Superior” classification. The fire inspection was completed on August 7, 2025 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The Secretary of State website was reviewed on October 28, 2025 and Sawda, LLC was listed as current-active. S. Williams, owner/administrator was present for the visit. There were one hundred sixty-four (164) children enrolled and one hundred seventeen (117) children present. Approved indoor and outdoor spaces were observed today. Age-appropriate materials were accessible to all children and spaces were arranged into activity areas. Children in spaces one (1) and nine (9) were outside. They were observed using ride on toys, playing on stationary climbers, and engaged in sand play. Children in space ten (10) were involved in free play throughout the classroom, using stencils, lacing cards, magnet toys, and blocks. Children in spaces two (2), four (4), and seven (7) were having lunch. Children in spaces five (5) and seven (7) were preparing for lunch and engaged in music and story time activities. Infants received care according to individual needs. Individual feeding schedules and safe sleep checks are being maintained. Supervision and staff-child ratios were observed and found to be in compliance. Lunch consisted of whole wheat chicken tenders, tater tots, raisins, and milk. Staff and Training Worksheets- There were thirty-three (33) staff members employed at this facility. All new staff and a percentage of veteran staff’s files were reviewed. NC Pre-K monitoring: The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes were verified in compliance. Children attend the program from 8:15 am to 2:45 pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum/Teaching Strategies for their curriculum and ongoing assessments. Developmental Screenings were being completed and Health Assessments were collected. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications. Evidence of family engagement, sharing on-going assessments with families, and procedures for contacting families when children are absent for more than three (3) consecutive days were observed. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In space 2, one (1) written authorization for diaper cream was not dated. In space 7, two (2) written authorizations for diaper cream were not dated. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In space 7, one (1) diaper cream was expired and one written authorization for diaper cream was expired. .0803(12) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen (18)-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five (75) percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before November 17, 2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. Please note, if the compliance letter is not received by the agreed-upon date, a follow-up visit may be made to verify compliance. Mail or email the information to: Natalie Pond, Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 4 Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 Natalie.m.pond@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. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance: Violations were cited for expired and undated parent permission forms for diaper creams and an expired diaper cream. To ensure health and safety of the children, it is important to keep records and forms updated. Consider putting a plan in place to regularly check permission slips for completeness and current dates, in addition to expiration dates of the creams being used. Items such as staff health questionnaires, emergency information, and evaluations must be updated annually. I suggest you select a certain month each year to complete these and set a reminder on your calendar so records will always be current. Training: Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment: All staff must complete Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment within 90 days of hire and must complete all required training topics on the staff orientation document which is available on the DCDEE website under provider documents and forms. Health and Safety Training: Health and Safety Trainings must be completed by all staff within one year of employment and every five years thereafter. You can access these training courses for free on DCDEE’s website www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov by going to Provider, Professional Training, and DCDEE Moodle. North Carolina Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0710 (b) regarding pre-service requirements for lead teachers ad teachers states: A lead teacher or a teacher shall be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have one of the following: (1) One year of child care experience working in a child care center or two years of verifiable experience as a licensed family child care home operator; or (2) Completion of a two year high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education; or (3) Twenty hours of training in child development, which shall include the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework, within the first six months of employment in addition to the number of on-going training hours required in Rule .1103. If a staff member has less than one year of experience and no formal education past high school, they will need to complete 20 hours of in-service training within their first six months of employment and an additional 20 hours of in-service training for their annual training. Licensing Fees: License fees are based on the first shift capacity as shown on the childcare license as of October 1st of each year for all active facilities. The NC Department of Health and Human Services Controller's Office will mail license fee invoices during the month of October. Payments must be paid 30 days from receipt of the invoice. Please carefully follow the directions on the invoice to ensure your facility's payment is made using an acceptable method. Partial payments or pre-payment will not be accepted. Payments must include your facility's ID# on the childcare license. The 2025-2026 Annual Child Care Immunization Report Reporting Portal is now open, and reports must be submitted electronically by midnight, November 15, 2025. Instructions and worksheets are available for download and may be used to collect data needed before entering your individual school information online. For more information, download the 2025 Annual Childcare Immunization Report Memo. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflected the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing, lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Asbestos testing enrollment was started but not complete. Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition has begun with the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform and •If you were unable to attend the webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars, the sessions were recorded and are posted on the QRIS Modernization page. • Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. Today, I completed a QRIS Conversation Template for your facility. You reported that your facility is planning to choose the Pathway 2, Classroom and Instructional Quality. A copy of this template is attached to this visit summary. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities in order to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to working with you on your pathway to the stars! Education Standards: The WORKS portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual North Carolina Identity Management (NCID) username and password. Only official unopened transcripts will be submitted to the Workforce Education Unit, all other documents will be uploaded by the applicant. All staff need to ensure that current education information has been submitted to WORKS and that they have requested the appropriate evaluation for their position. It typically takes WORKS 4-6 weeks to complete an evaluation. Stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. This website enables you to view the entire Law and Child Care Requirements for North Carolina as well as download required forms. Click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting child care in North Carolina. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at 910-364-4898 or Natalie.m.pond@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: NATALIE M. POND Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/3/2025 Number Present: 117 Completed Date: 11/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 01:30 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 for an annual compliance visit. Jennifer Garner, Lead Child Care Consultant, assisted me with this visit. Your program currently operates with a Five Star Rated License issued April 27, 2022. Restrictions on the license include a first shift capacity of one hundred ninety-nine (199) children ages 0-12 years, meets enhanced ratios, and meets enhanced space. The last annual compliance visit was completed on November 5, 2024. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty-six percent (86%) as of October 28, 2025. The sanitation inspection was completed on June 24, 2025 with a “Superior” classification. The fire inspection was completed on August 7, 2025 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The Secretary of State website was reviewed on October 28, 2025 and Sawda, LLC was listed as current-active. S. Williams, owner/administrator was present for the visit. There were one hundred sixty-four (164) children enrolled and one hundred seventeen (117) children present. Approved indoor and outdoor spaces were observed today. Age-appropriate materials were accessible to all children and spaces were arranged into activity areas. Children in spaces one (1) and nine (9) were outside. They were observed using ride on toys, playing on stationary climbers, and engaged in sand play. Children in space ten (10) were involved in free play throughout the classroom, using stencils, lacing cards, magnet toys, and blocks. Children in spaces two (2), four (4), and seven (7) were having lunch. Children in spaces five (5) and seven (7) were preparing for lunch and engaged in music and story time activities. Infants received care according to individual needs. Individual feeding schedules and safe sleep checks are being maintained. Supervision and staff-child ratios were observed and found to be in compliance. Lunch consisted of whole wheat chicken tenders, tater tots, raisins, and milk. Staff and Training Worksheets- There were thirty-three (33) staff members employed at this facility. All new staff and a percentage of veteran staff’s files were reviewed. NC Pre-K monitoring: The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes were verified in compliance. Children attend the program from 8:15 am to 2:45 pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum/Teaching Strategies for their curriculum and ongoing assessments. Developmental Screenings were being completed and Health Assessments were collected. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications. Evidence of family engagement, sharing on-going assessments with families, and procedures for contacting families when children are absent for more than three (3) consecutive days were observed. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In space 2, one (1) written authorization for diaper cream was not dated. In space 7, two (2) written authorizations for diaper cream were not dated. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. In space 7, one (1) diaper cream was expired and one written authorization for diaper cream was expired. .0803(12) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen (18)-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five (75) percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before November 17, 2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. Please note, if the compliance letter is not received by the agreed-upon date, a follow-up visit may be made to verify compliance. Mail or email the information to: Natalie Pond, Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 4 Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 Natalie.m.pond@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. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance: Violations were cited for expired and undated parent permission forms for diaper creams and an expired diaper cream. To ensure health and safety of the children, it is important to keep records and forms updated. Consider putting a plan in place to regularly check permission slips for completeness and current dates, in addition to expiration dates of the creams being used. Items such as staff health questionnaires, emergency information, and evaluations must be updated annually. I suggest you select a certain month each year to complete these and set a reminder on your calendar so records will always be current. Training: Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment: All staff must complete Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment within 90 days of hire and must complete all required training topics on the staff orientation document which is available on the DCDEE website under provider documents and forms. Health and Safety Training: Health and Safety Trainings must be completed by all staff within one year of employment and every five years thereafter. You can access these training courses for free on DCDEE’s website www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov by going to Provider, Professional Training, and DCDEE Moodle. North Carolina Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0710 (b) regarding pre-service requirements for lead teachers ad teachers states: A lead teacher or a teacher shall be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have one of the following: (1) One year of child care experience working in a child care center or two years of verifiable experience as a licensed family child care home operator; or (2) Completion of a two year high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education; or (3) Twenty hours of training in child development, which shall include the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework, within the first six months of employment in addition to the number of on-going training hours required in Rule .1103. If a staff member has less than one year of experience and no formal education past high school, they will need to complete 20 hours of in-service training within their first six months of employment and an additional 20 hours of in-service training for their annual training. Licensing Fees: License fees are based on the first shift capacity as shown on the childcare license as of October 1st of each year for all active facilities. The NC Department of Health and Human Services Controller's Office will mail license fee invoices during the month of October. Payments must be paid 30 days from receipt of the invoice. Please carefully follow the directions on the invoice to ensure your facility's payment is made using an acceptable method. Partial payments or pre-payment will not be accepted. Payments must include your facility's ID# on the childcare license. The 2025-2026 Annual Child Care Immunization Report Reporting Portal is now open, and reports must be submitted electronically by midnight, November 15, 2025. Instructions and worksheets are available for download and may be used to collect data needed before entering your individual school information online. For more information, download the 2025 Annual Childcare Immunization Report Memo. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflected the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing, lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Asbestos testing enrollment was started but not complete. Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition has begun with the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform and •If you were unable to attend the webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars, the sessions were recorded and are posted on the QRIS Modernization page. • Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. Today, I completed a QRIS Conversation Template for your facility. You reported that your facility is planning to choose the Pathway 2, Classroom and Instructional Quality. A copy of this template is attached to this visit summary. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities in order to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to working with you on your pathway to the stars! Education Standards: The WORKS portal is available online and requires that the user maintain an individual North Carolina Identity Management (NCID) username and password. Only official unopened transcripts will be submitted to the Workforce Education Unit, all other documents will be uploaded by the applicant. All staff need to ensure that current education information has been submitted to WORKS and that they have requested the appropriate evaluation for their position. It typically takes WORKS 4-6 weeks to complete an evaluation. Stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. This website enables you to view the entire Law and Child Care Requirements for North Carolina as well as download required forms. Click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting child care in North Carolina. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at 910-364-4898 or Natalie.m.pond@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/5/2024 Number Present: 115 Completed Date: 11/5/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on October 31, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned July 1, 2024, and a fire inspection was conducted August 29, 2024; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 90%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Spaces #3 and 4 were observed in individual feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Spaces #2 and 4 were observed in playing freely with rattles, large connecting blocks, and vehicles. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate outdoor playground, using riding toys and the climbing structure. In Space #1, children two and three years of age were observed picking up materials and lining up to go outside. Children three and four years of age enrolled in Space #5 were also outdoors on a larger playground, using riding toys and playing in the sand. In Spaces #8 and 9, preschool children participated in free choice activities including drawing with markers, building a house with blocks and pretending to make meals in the dramatic play area. In Space #10, school age children worked with magnet tiles, sorted plastic dinosaurs, and built structures with blocks. Lunch served consisted of breaded chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, raisins and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. School age children participated in quiet activities during this time. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's previous approved fire inspection was obtained August 10, 2023, and a new approved inspection was not obtained until August 29, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child four years of age was left unaccompanied in Space #9 for several minutes after the staff member assigned to this space took the rest of the children to the playground. .1801(a)(1-5) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The ratio chart in Space #5 did not accurately reflect the age and ratio for the youngest child enrolled. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. Two broken benches and several pieces of trash were observed on the playground used by preschool children. A broken see saw was also observed on the playground used by children two and three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 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. A substitute staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 did not have TB test results until June 14, 2024. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 has not yet completed a Criminal Background Check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 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). A staff member's qualification letter expired August 2, 2024, and she did not submit required forms for a new background check until October 10, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency and identifying information was not in the vehicle for four children who are routinely transported from local schools to the center. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for a substitute staff member working today. In addition, another staff member worked between August 2, 2024 and October 16, 2024 without a valid qualification letter. A third staff member was also allowed to work without a valid letter from September 25, 2023 to September 27, 2023. 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. Two substitute staff members who began employment more than 90 days ago have not yet completed this training. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A substitute staff member who works more than 10 days in a 12-month period did not complete health and safety training within the first year of employment. .1102(a) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 19, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited As discussed, supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. It is the responsibility of staff to regularly count children (name to face recognition) on a routine basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another. Today, the staff member assigned to Space #9 did not count the children as they were leaving the classroom to go to the playground. As a result, a four-year-old child was left behind and was not discovered until several minutes later when I heard him crying through the wall that separates the back office from the classroom. I strongly urged you today to review your supervision policy, including the importance of conducting frequent head counts and using the lists of children to ensure each child is accounted for during transitions, with all staff members immediately. I suggested creating a form which may replace the handwritten lists staff members currently use, and this form can have columns for checking children when they exit the classroom and also when they re-enter the classroom from the playground. Remember to include any corrective measures you decide to take in your compliance letter. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding staff requirements, including requirements for criminal background checks, qualification letters, and medical requirements. As discussed, even staff members who work infrequently are required to meet the requirements for their positions, and should be documented on the Staff and Training Worksheet so their files can be reviewed. Today you stated you didn’t think staff members who only work occasionally as substitutes needed to be listed, however if you had listed them on the worksheet when they started you may have realized some of the requirements had not been met. Today you added missing staff members to the worksheet and together we reviewed the violations as well as how to correct them. I also emailed you the file checklist for substitute staff members and urged you to go through files for completion. I strongly urged you to ensure you do not let any new staff members begin employment without documentation of all medical requirements and valid qualification letters on file. When qualification letters are approaching five-year expiration, staff members must submit information for requalification prior to expiration dates, which they may do as early as six months prior. Staff members may not be allowed to work if valid qualification letters are not on file. Today, a valid qualification letter was not on file for S. Smith. A review of the ABCMS system showed that an application had been started in May 2024, however it was closed in July 2024 because fingerprints were not received. You stated you have had issues with the local Sheriff’s office failing to submit electronic fingerprints, and you didn’t realize that she never received her qualification letter because she doesn’t work very often. You provided a different substitute for Ms. Smith so she could leave today, and assisted her with redoing her application as well as how to submit a hard copy of her fingerprint card this time. She may not return to the facility without a valid qualification letter; remember to send a copy to verify compliance. For the safety of children and staff, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states a fire inspection must be scheduled and obtained within 12 months of the previous inspection. Moving forward, I suggest noting the date of your most recent inspection on a calendar, and setting a reminder for yourself to call and request your inspection at least one month in advance of the deadline. It may also help to use a checklist similar to the fire inspection form several months ahead of time, so you may anticipate any needs or potential violations and correct them within enough time to ensure you can still get an approved inspection by the deadline. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604 (p) states that once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris, vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris and broken equipment shall be removed and disposed of. Today you removed all broken items and debris; remember to include your plan for checking the premises each morning moving forward in your compliance letter. When transporting children, there must be a picture of each child attached to the emergency information for that child on the vehicle when they are transported. Today technical assistance was provided on how to ensure that each child that is transported has identifying information in the vehicle, and you were able to obtain pictures to place on the vehicles today. Rated License Information Today I shared with you that the “hold harmless” state of rated license reassessments has been extended until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) standards are put in place. This means that you will not be required to have a reassessment according to timelines previously discussed, and when your reassessment is due you will have options to choose from regarding how your star level is earned. When more information becomes available about the new QRIS standards, I may assist you in determining which option is best for your program. Please note any Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scales (ITERS) or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ECERS) assessments conducted after February 1, 2025 will be the third editions, or the “3s.” The School Age Care Environment Rating Scales will continue to be used in school age classrooms. You may find more information regarding the third editions including training materials and how to purchase at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must still submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. When new QRIS rules are implemented, education requirements will be different, but it is still critical that all staff in key positions have complete WORKS evaluations to assist with the rated license reassessment process. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Due to the nature of violations cited, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/5/2024 Number Present: 115 Completed Date: 11/5/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on October 31, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned July 1, 2024, and a fire inspection was conducted August 29, 2024; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 90%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Spaces #3 and 4 were observed in individual feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Spaces #2 and 4 were observed in playing freely with rattles, large connecting blocks, and vehicles. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate outdoor playground, using riding toys and the climbing structure. In Space #1, children two and three years of age were observed picking up materials and lining up to go outside. Children three and four years of age enrolled in Space #5 were also outdoors on a larger playground, using riding toys and playing in the sand. In Spaces #8 and 9, preschool children participated in free choice activities including drawing with markers, building a house with blocks and pretending to make meals in the dramatic play area. In Space #10, school age children worked with magnet tiles, sorted plastic dinosaurs, and built structures with blocks. Lunch served consisted of breaded chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, raisins and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. School age children participated in quiet activities during this time. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's previous approved fire inspection was obtained August 10, 2023, and a new approved inspection was not obtained until August 29, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child four years of age was left unaccompanied in Space #9 for several minutes after the staff member assigned to this space took the rest of the children to the playground. .1801(a)(1-5) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The ratio chart in Space #5 did not accurately reflect the age and ratio for the youngest child enrolled. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. Two broken benches and several pieces of trash were observed on the playground used by preschool children. A broken see saw was also observed on the playground used by children two and three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 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. A substitute staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 did not have TB test results until June 14, 2024. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 has not yet completed a Criminal Background Check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 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). A staff member's qualification letter expired August 2, 2024, and she did not submit required forms for a new background check until October 10, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency and identifying information was not in the vehicle for four children who are routinely transported from local schools to the center. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for a substitute staff member working today. In addition, another staff member worked between August 2, 2024 and October 16, 2024 without a valid qualification letter. A third staff member was also allowed to work without a valid letter from September 25, 2023 to September 27, 2023. 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. Two substitute staff members who began employment more than 90 days ago have not yet completed this training. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A substitute staff member who works more than 10 days in a 12-month period did not complete health and safety training within the first year of employment. .1102(a) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 19, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited As discussed, supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. It is the responsibility of staff to regularly count children (name to face recognition) on a routine basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another. Today, the staff member assigned to Space #9 did not count the children as they were leaving the classroom to go to the playground. As a result, a four-year-old child was left behind and was not discovered until several minutes later when I heard him crying through the wall that separates the back office from the classroom. I strongly urged you today to review your supervision policy, including the importance of conducting frequent head counts and using the lists of children to ensure each child is accounted for during transitions, with all staff members immediately. I suggested creating a form which may replace the handwritten lists staff members currently use, and this form can have columns for checking children when they exit the classroom and also when they re-enter the classroom from the playground. Remember to include any corrective measures you decide to take in your compliance letter. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding staff requirements, including requirements for criminal background checks, qualification letters, and medical requirements. As discussed, even staff members who work infrequently are required to meet the requirements for their positions, and should be documented on the Staff and Training Worksheet so their files can be reviewed. Today you stated you didn’t think staff members who only work occasionally as substitutes needed to be listed, however if you had listed them on the worksheet when they started you may have realized some of the requirements had not been met. Today you added missing staff members to the worksheet and together we reviewed the violations as well as how to correct them. I also emailed you the file checklist for substitute staff members and urged you to go through files for completion. I strongly urged you to ensure you do not let any new staff members begin employment without documentation of all medical requirements and valid qualification letters on file. When qualification letters are approaching five-year expiration, staff members must submit information for requalification prior to expiration dates, which they may do as early as six months prior. Staff members may not be allowed to work if valid qualification letters are not on file. Today, a valid qualification letter was not on file for S. Smith. A review of the ABCMS system showed that an application had been started in May 2024, however it was closed in July 2024 because fingerprints were not received. You stated you have had issues with the local Sheriff’s office failing to submit electronic fingerprints, and you didn’t realize that she never received her qualification letter because she doesn’t work very often. You provided a different substitute for Ms. Smith so she could leave today, and assisted her with redoing her application as well as how to submit a hard copy of her fingerprint card this time. She may not return to the facility without a valid qualification letter; remember to send a copy to verify compliance. For the safety of children and staff, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states a fire inspection must be scheduled and obtained within 12 months of the previous inspection. Moving forward, I suggest noting the date of your most recent inspection on a calendar, and setting a reminder for yourself to call and request your inspection at least one month in advance of the deadline. It may also help to use a checklist similar to the fire inspection form several months ahead of time, so you may anticipate any needs or potential violations and correct them within enough time to ensure you can still get an approved inspection by the deadline. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604 (p) states that once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris, vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris and broken equipment shall be removed and disposed of. Today you removed all broken items and debris; remember to include your plan for checking the premises each morning moving forward in your compliance letter. When transporting children, there must be a picture of each child attached to the emergency information for that child on the vehicle when they are transported. Today technical assistance was provided on how to ensure that each child that is transported has identifying information in the vehicle, and you were able to obtain pictures to place on the vehicles today. Rated License Information Today I shared with you that the “hold harmless” state of rated license reassessments has been extended until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) standards are put in place. This means that you will not be required to have a reassessment according to timelines previously discussed, and when your reassessment is due you will have options to choose from regarding how your star level is earned. When more information becomes available about the new QRIS standards, I may assist you in determining which option is best for your program. Please note any Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scales (ITERS) or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ECERS) assessments conducted after February 1, 2025 will be the third editions, or the “3s.” The School Age Care Environment Rating Scales will continue to be used in school age classrooms. You may find more information regarding the third editions including training materials and how to purchase at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must still submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. When new QRIS rules are implemented, education requirements will be different, but it is still critical that all staff in key positions have complete WORKS evaluations to assist with the rated license reassessment process. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Due to the nature of violations cited, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/5/2024 Number Present: 115 Completed Date: 11/5/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on October 31, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned July 1, 2024, and a fire inspection was conducted August 29, 2024; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 90%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Spaces #3 and 4 were observed in individual feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Spaces #2 and 4 were observed in playing freely with rattles, large connecting blocks, and vehicles. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate outdoor playground, using riding toys and the climbing structure. In Space #1, children two and three years of age were observed picking up materials and lining up to go outside. Children three and four years of age enrolled in Space #5 were also outdoors on a larger playground, using riding toys and playing in the sand. In Spaces #8 and 9, preschool children participated in free choice activities including drawing with markers, building a house with blocks and pretending to make meals in the dramatic play area. In Space #10, school age children worked with magnet tiles, sorted plastic dinosaurs, and built structures with blocks. Lunch served consisted of breaded chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, raisins and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. School age children participated in quiet activities during this time. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's previous approved fire inspection was obtained August 10, 2023, and a new approved inspection was not obtained until August 29, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child four years of age was left unaccompanied in Space #9 for several minutes after the staff member assigned to this space took the rest of the children to the playground. .1801(a)(1-5) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The ratio chart in Space #5 did not accurately reflect the age and ratio for the youngest child enrolled. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. Two broken benches and several pieces of trash were observed on the playground used by preschool children. A broken see saw was also observed on the playground used by children two and three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 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. A substitute staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 did not have TB test results until June 14, 2024. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 has not yet completed a Criminal Background Check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 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). A staff member's qualification letter expired August 2, 2024, and she did not submit required forms for a new background check until October 10, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency and identifying information was not in the vehicle for four children who are routinely transported from local schools to the center. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for a substitute staff member working today. In addition, another staff member worked between August 2, 2024 and October 16, 2024 without a valid qualification letter. A third staff member was also allowed to work without a valid letter from September 25, 2023 to September 27, 2023. 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. Two substitute staff members who began employment more than 90 days ago have not yet completed this training. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A substitute staff member who works more than 10 days in a 12-month period did not complete health and safety training within the first year of employment. .1102(a) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 19, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited As discussed, supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. It is the responsibility of staff to regularly count children (name to face recognition) on a routine basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another. Today, the staff member assigned to Space #9 did not count the children as they were leaving the classroom to go to the playground. As a result, a four-year-old child was left behind and was not discovered until several minutes later when I heard him crying through the wall that separates the back office from the classroom. I strongly urged you today to review your supervision policy, including the importance of conducting frequent head counts and using the lists of children to ensure each child is accounted for during transitions, with all staff members immediately. I suggested creating a form which may replace the handwritten lists staff members currently use, and this form can have columns for checking children when they exit the classroom and also when they re-enter the classroom from the playground. Remember to include any corrective measures you decide to take in your compliance letter. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding staff requirements, including requirements for criminal background checks, qualification letters, and medical requirements. As discussed, even staff members who work infrequently are required to meet the requirements for their positions, and should be documented on the Staff and Training Worksheet so their files can be reviewed. Today you stated you didn’t think staff members who only work occasionally as substitutes needed to be listed, however if you had listed them on the worksheet when they started you may have realized some of the requirements had not been met. Today you added missing staff members to the worksheet and together we reviewed the violations as well as how to correct them. I also emailed you the file checklist for substitute staff members and urged you to go through files for completion. I strongly urged you to ensure you do not let any new staff members begin employment without documentation of all medical requirements and valid qualification letters on file. When qualification letters are approaching five-year expiration, staff members must submit information for requalification prior to expiration dates, which they may do as early as six months prior. Staff members may not be allowed to work if valid qualification letters are not on file. Today, a valid qualification letter was not on file for S. Smith. A review of the ABCMS system showed that an application had been started in May 2024, however it was closed in July 2024 because fingerprints were not received. You stated you have had issues with the local Sheriff’s office failing to submit electronic fingerprints, and you didn’t realize that she never received her qualification letter because she doesn’t work very often. You provided a different substitute for Ms. Smith so she could leave today, and assisted her with redoing her application as well as how to submit a hard copy of her fingerprint card this time. She may not return to the facility without a valid qualification letter; remember to send a copy to verify compliance. For the safety of children and staff, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states a fire inspection must be scheduled and obtained within 12 months of the previous inspection. Moving forward, I suggest noting the date of your most recent inspection on a calendar, and setting a reminder for yourself to call and request your inspection at least one month in advance of the deadline. It may also help to use a checklist similar to the fire inspection form several months ahead of time, so you may anticipate any needs or potential violations and correct them within enough time to ensure you can still get an approved inspection by the deadline. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604 (p) states that once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris, vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris and broken equipment shall be removed and disposed of. Today you removed all broken items and debris; remember to include your plan for checking the premises each morning moving forward in your compliance letter. When transporting children, there must be a picture of each child attached to the emergency information for that child on the vehicle when they are transported. Today technical assistance was provided on how to ensure that each child that is transported has identifying information in the vehicle, and you were able to obtain pictures to place on the vehicles today. Rated License Information Today I shared with you that the “hold harmless” state of rated license reassessments has been extended until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) standards are put in place. This means that you will not be required to have a reassessment according to timelines previously discussed, and when your reassessment is due you will have options to choose from regarding how your star level is earned. When more information becomes available about the new QRIS standards, I may assist you in determining which option is best for your program. Please note any Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scales (ITERS) or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ECERS) assessments conducted after February 1, 2025 will be the third editions, or the “3s.” The School Age Care Environment Rating Scales will continue to be used in school age classrooms. You may find more information regarding the third editions including training materials and how to purchase at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must still submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. When new QRIS rules are implemented, education requirements will be different, but it is still critical that all staff in key positions have complete WORKS evaluations to assist with the rated license reassessment process. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Due to the nature of violations cited, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/5/2024 Number Present: 115 Completed Date: 11/5/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on October 31, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned July 1, 2024, and a fire inspection was conducted August 29, 2024; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 90%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Spaces #3 and 4 were observed in individual feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Spaces #2 and 4 were observed in playing freely with rattles, large connecting blocks, and vehicles. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate outdoor playground, using riding toys and the climbing structure. In Space #1, children two and three years of age were observed picking up materials and lining up to go outside. Children three and four years of age enrolled in Space #5 were also outdoors on a larger playground, using riding toys and playing in the sand. In Spaces #8 and 9, preschool children participated in free choice activities including drawing with markers, building a house with blocks and pretending to make meals in the dramatic play area. In Space #10, school age children worked with magnet tiles, sorted plastic dinosaurs, and built structures with blocks. Lunch served consisted of breaded chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, raisins and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. School age children participated in quiet activities during this time. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's previous approved fire inspection was obtained August 10, 2023, and a new approved inspection was not obtained until August 29, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child four years of age was left unaccompanied in Space #9 for several minutes after the staff member assigned to this space took the rest of the children to the playground. .1801(a)(1-5) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The ratio chart in Space #5 did not accurately reflect the age and ratio for the youngest child enrolled. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. Two broken benches and several pieces of trash were observed on the playground used by preschool children. A broken see saw was also observed on the playground used by children two and three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 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. A substitute staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 did not have TB test results until June 14, 2024. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 has not yet completed a Criminal Background Check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 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). A staff member's qualification letter expired August 2, 2024, and she did not submit required forms for a new background check until October 10, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency and identifying information was not in the vehicle for four children who are routinely transported from local schools to the center. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for a substitute staff member working today. In addition, another staff member worked between August 2, 2024 and October 16, 2024 without a valid qualification letter. A third staff member was also allowed to work without a valid letter from September 25, 2023 to September 27, 2023. 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. Two substitute staff members who began employment more than 90 days ago have not yet completed this training. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A substitute staff member who works more than 10 days in a 12-month period did not complete health and safety training within the first year of employment. .1102(a) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 19, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited As discussed, supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. It is the responsibility of staff to regularly count children (name to face recognition) on a routine basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another. Today, the staff member assigned to Space #9 did not count the children as they were leaving the classroom to go to the playground. As a result, a four-year-old child was left behind and was not discovered until several minutes later when I heard him crying through the wall that separates the back office from the classroom. I strongly urged you today to review your supervision policy, including the importance of conducting frequent head counts and using the lists of children to ensure each child is accounted for during transitions, with all staff members immediately. I suggested creating a form which may replace the handwritten lists staff members currently use, and this form can have columns for checking children when they exit the classroom and also when they re-enter the classroom from the playground. Remember to include any corrective measures you decide to take in your compliance letter. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding staff requirements, including requirements for criminal background checks, qualification letters, and medical requirements. As discussed, even staff members who work infrequently are required to meet the requirements for their positions, and should be documented on the Staff and Training Worksheet so their files can be reviewed. Today you stated you didn’t think staff members who only work occasionally as substitutes needed to be listed, however if you had listed them on the worksheet when they started you may have realized some of the requirements had not been met. Today you added missing staff members to the worksheet and together we reviewed the violations as well as how to correct them. I also emailed you the file checklist for substitute staff members and urged you to go through files for completion. I strongly urged you to ensure you do not let any new staff members begin employment without documentation of all medical requirements and valid qualification letters on file. When qualification letters are approaching five-year expiration, staff members must submit information for requalification prior to expiration dates, which they may do as early as six months prior. Staff members may not be allowed to work if valid qualification letters are not on file. Today, a valid qualification letter was not on file for S. Smith. A review of the ABCMS system showed that an application had been started in May 2024, however it was closed in July 2024 because fingerprints were not received. You stated you have had issues with the local Sheriff’s office failing to submit electronic fingerprints, and you didn’t realize that she never received her qualification letter because she doesn’t work very often. You provided a different substitute for Ms. Smith so she could leave today, and assisted her with redoing her application as well as how to submit a hard copy of her fingerprint card this time. She may not return to the facility without a valid qualification letter; remember to send a copy to verify compliance. For the safety of children and staff, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states a fire inspection must be scheduled and obtained within 12 months of the previous inspection. Moving forward, I suggest noting the date of your most recent inspection on a calendar, and setting a reminder for yourself to call and request your inspection at least one month in advance of the deadline. It may also help to use a checklist similar to the fire inspection form several months ahead of time, so you may anticipate any needs or potential violations and correct them within enough time to ensure you can still get an approved inspection by the deadline. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604 (p) states that once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris, vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris and broken equipment shall be removed and disposed of. Today you removed all broken items and debris; remember to include your plan for checking the premises each morning moving forward in your compliance letter. When transporting children, there must be a picture of each child attached to the emergency information for that child on the vehicle when they are transported. Today technical assistance was provided on how to ensure that each child that is transported has identifying information in the vehicle, and you were able to obtain pictures to place on the vehicles today. Rated License Information Today I shared with you that the “hold harmless” state of rated license reassessments has been extended until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) standards are put in place. This means that you will not be required to have a reassessment according to timelines previously discussed, and when your reassessment is due you will have options to choose from regarding how your star level is earned. When more information becomes available about the new QRIS standards, I may assist you in determining which option is best for your program. Please note any Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scales (ITERS) or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ECERS) assessments conducted after February 1, 2025 will be the third editions, or the “3s.” The School Age Care Environment Rating Scales will continue to be used in school age classrooms. You may find more information regarding the third editions including training materials and how to purchase at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must still submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. When new QRIS rules are implemented, education requirements will be different, but it is still critical that all staff in key positions have complete WORKS evaluations to assist with the rated license reassessment process. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Due to the nature of violations cited, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/5/2024 Number Present: 115 Completed Date: 11/5/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on October 31, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned July 1, 2024, and a fire inspection was conducted August 29, 2024; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 90%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Spaces #3 and 4 were observed in individual feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Spaces #2 and 4 were observed in playing freely with rattles, large connecting blocks, and vehicles. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate outdoor playground, using riding toys and the climbing structure. In Space #1, children two and three years of age were observed picking up materials and lining up to go outside. Children three and four years of age enrolled in Space #5 were also outdoors on a larger playground, using riding toys and playing in the sand. In Spaces #8 and 9, preschool children participated in free choice activities including drawing with markers, building a house with blocks and pretending to make meals in the dramatic play area. In Space #10, school age children worked with magnet tiles, sorted plastic dinosaurs, and built structures with blocks. Lunch served consisted of breaded chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, raisins and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. School age children participated in quiet activities during this time. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's previous approved fire inspection was obtained August 10, 2023, and a new approved inspection was not obtained until August 29, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child four years of age was left unaccompanied in Space #9 for several minutes after the staff member assigned to this space took the rest of the children to the playground. .1801(a)(1-5) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The ratio chart in Space #5 did not accurately reflect the age and ratio for the youngest child enrolled. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. Two broken benches and several pieces of trash were observed on the playground used by preschool children. A broken see saw was also observed on the playground used by children two and three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 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. A substitute staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 did not have TB test results until June 14, 2024. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 has not yet completed a Criminal Background Check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 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). A staff member's qualification letter expired August 2, 2024, and she did not submit required forms for a new background check until October 10, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency and identifying information was not in the vehicle for four children who are routinely transported from local schools to the center. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for a substitute staff member working today. In addition, another staff member worked between August 2, 2024 and October 16, 2024 without a valid qualification letter. A third staff member was also allowed to work without a valid letter from September 25, 2023 to September 27, 2023. 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. Two substitute staff members who began employment more than 90 days ago have not yet completed this training. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A substitute staff member who works more than 10 days in a 12-month period did not complete health and safety training within the first year of employment. .1102(a) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 19, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited As discussed, supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. It is the responsibility of staff to regularly count children (name to face recognition) on a routine basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another. Today, the staff member assigned to Space #9 did not count the children as they were leaving the classroom to go to the playground. As a result, a four-year-old child was left behind and was not discovered until several minutes later when I heard him crying through the wall that separates the back office from the classroom. I strongly urged you today to review your supervision policy, including the importance of conducting frequent head counts and using the lists of children to ensure each child is accounted for during transitions, with all staff members immediately. I suggested creating a form which may replace the handwritten lists staff members currently use, and this form can have columns for checking children when they exit the classroom and also when they re-enter the classroom from the playground. Remember to include any corrective measures you decide to take in your compliance letter. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding staff requirements, including requirements for criminal background checks, qualification letters, and medical requirements. As discussed, even staff members who work infrequently are required to meet the requirements for their positions, and should be documented on the Staff and Training Worksheet so their files can be reviewed. Today you stated you didn’t think staff members who only work occasionally as substitutes needed to be listed, however if you had listed them on the worksheet when they started you may have realized some of the requirements had not been met. Today you added missing staff members to the worksheet and together we reviewed the violations as well as how to correct them. I also emailed you the file checklist for substitute staff members and urged you to go through files for completion. I strongly urged you to ensure you do not let any new staff members begin employment without documentation of all medical requirements and valid qualification letters on file. When qualification letters are approaching five-year expiration, staff members must submit information for requalification prior to expiration dates, which they may do as early as six months prior. Staff members may not be allowed to work if valid qualification letters are not on file. Today, a valid qualification letter was not on file for S. Smith. A review of the ABCMS system showed that an application had been started in May 2024, however it was closed in July 2024 because fingerprints were not received. You stated you have had issues with the local Sheriff’s office failing to submit electronic fingerprints, and you didn’t realize that she never received her qualification letter because she doesn’t work very often. You provided a different substitute for Ms. Smith so she could leave today, and assisted her with redoing her application as well as how to submit a hard copy of her fingerprint card this time. She may not return to the facility without a valid qualification letter; remember to send a copy to verify compliance. For the safety of children and staff, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states a fire inspection must be scheduled and obtained within 12 months of the previous inspection. Moving forward, I suggest noting the date of your most recent inspection on a calendar, and setting a reminder for yourself to call and request your inspection at least one month in advance of the deadline. It may also help to use a checklist similar to the fire inspection form several months ahead of time, so you may anticipate any needs or potential violations and correct them within enough time to ensure you can still get an approved inspection by the deadline. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604 (p) states that once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris, vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris and broken equipment shall be removed and disposed of. Today you removed all broken items and debris; remember to include your plan for checking the premises each morning moving forward in your compliance letter. When transporting children, there must be a picture of each child attached to the emergency information for that child on the vehicle when they are transported. Today technical assistance was provided on how to ensure that each child that is transported has identifying information in the vehicle, and you were able to obtain pictures to place on the vehicles today. Rated License Information Today I shared with you that the “hold harmless” state of rated license reassessments has been extended until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) standards are put in place. This means that you will not be required to have a reassessment according to timelines previously discussed, and when your reassessment is due you will have options to choose from regarding how your star level is earned. When more information becomes available about the new QRIS standards, I may assist you in determining which option is best for your program. Please note any Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scales (ITERS) or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ECERS) assessments conducted after February 1, 2025 will be the third editions, or the “3s.” The School Age Care Environment Rating Scales will continue to be used in school age classrooms. You may find more information regarding the third editions including training materials and how to purchase at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must still submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. When new QRIS rules are implemented, education requirements will be different, but it is still critical that all staff in key positions have complete WORKS evaluations to assist with the rated license reassessment process. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Due to the nature of violations cited, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/5/2024 Number Present: 115 Completed Date: 11/5/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on October 31, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned July 1, 2024, and a fire inspection was conducted August 29, 2024; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 90%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Spaces #3 and 4 were observed in individual feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Spaces #2 and 4 were observed in playing freely with rattles, large connecting blocks, and vehicles. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate outdoor playground, using riding toys and the climbing structure. In Space #1, children two and three years of age were observed picking up materials and lining up to go outside. Children three and four years of age enrolled in Space #5 were also outdoors on a larger playground, using riding toys and playing in the sand. In Spaces #8 and 9, preschool children participated in free choice activities including drawing with markers, building a house with blocks and pretending to make meals in the dramatic play area. In Space #10, school age children worked with magnet tiles, sorted plastic dinosaurs, and built structures with blocks. Lunch served consisted of breaded chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, raisins and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. School age children participated in quiet activities during this time. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's previous approved fire inspection was obtained August 10, 2023, and a new approved inspection was not obtained until August 29, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child four years of age was left unaccompanied in Space #9 for several minutes after the staff member assigned to this space took the rest of the children to the playground. .1801(a)(1-5) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The ratio chart in Space #5 did not accurately reflect the age and ratio for the youngest child enrolled. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. Two broken benches and several pieces of trash were observed on the playground used by preschool children. A broken see saw was also observed on the playground used by children two and three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 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. A substitute staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 did not have TB test results until June 14, 2024. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 has not yet completed a Criminal Background Check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 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). A staff member's qualification letter expired August 2, 2024, and she did not submit required forms for a new background check until October 10, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency and identifying information was not in the vehicle for four children who are routinely transported from local schools to the center. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for a substitute staff member working today. In addition, another staff member worked between August 2, 2024 and October 16, 2024 without a valid qualification letter. A third staff member was also allowed to work without a valid letter from September 25, 2023 to September 27, 2023. 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. Two substitute staff members who began employment more than 90 days ago have not yet completed this training. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A substitute staff member who works more than 10 days in a 12-month period did not complete health and safety training within the first year of employment. .1102(a) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 19, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited As discussed, supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. It is the responsibility of staff to regularly count children (name to face recognition) on a routine basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another. Today, the staff member assigned to Space #9 did not count the children as they were leaving the classroom to go to the playground. As a result, a four-year-old child was left behind and was not discovered until several minutes later when I heard him crying through the wall that separates the back office from the classroom. I strongly urged you today to review your supervision policy, including the importance of conducting frequent head counts and using the lists of children to ensure each child is accounted for during transitions, with all staff members immediately. I suggested creating a form which may replace the handwritten lists staff members currently use, and this form can have columns for checking children when they exit the classroom and also when they re-enter the classroom from the playground. Remember to include any corrective measures you decide to take in your compliance letter. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding staff requirements, including requirements for criminal background checks, qualification letters, and medical requirements. As discussed, even staff members who work infrequently are required to meet the requirements for their positions, and should be documented on the Staff and Training Worksheet so their files can be reviewed. Today you stated you didn’t think staff members who only work occasionally as substitutes needed to be listed, however if you had listed them on the worksheet when they started you may have realized some of the requirements had not been met. Today you added missing staff members to the worksheet and together we reviewed the violations as well as how to correct them. I also emailed you the file checklist for substitute staff members and urged you to go through files for completion. I strongly urged you to ensure you do not let any new staff members begin employment without documentation of all medical requirements and valid qualification letters on file. When qualification letters are approaching five-year expiration, staff members must submit information for requalification prior to expiration dates, which they may do as early as six months prior. Staff members may not be allowed to work if valid qualification letters are not on file. Today, a valid qualification letter was not on file for S. Smith. A review of the ABCMS system showed that an application had been started in May 2024, however it was closed in July 2024 because fingerprints were not received. You stated you have had issues with the local Sheriff’s office failing to submit electronic fingerprints, and you didn’t realize that she never received her qualification letter because she doesn’t work very often. You provided a different substitute for Ms. Smith so she could leave today, and assisted her with redoing her application as well as how to submit a hard copy of her fingerprint card this time. She may not return to the facility without a valid qualification letter; remember to send a copy to verify compliance. For the safety of children and staff, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states a fire inspection must be scheduled and obtained within 12 months of the previous inspection. Moving forward, I suggest noting the date of your most recent inspection on a calendar, and setting a reminder for yourself to call and request your inspection at least one month in advance of the deadline. It may also help to use a checklist similar to the fire inspection form several months ahead of time, so you may anticipate any needs or potential violations and correct them within enough time to ensure you can still get an approved inspection by the deadline. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604 (p) states that once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris, vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris and broken equipment shall be removed and disposed of. Today you removed all broken items and debris; remember to include your plan for checking the premises each morning moving forward in your compliance letter. When transporting children, there must be a picture of each child attached to the emergency information for that child on the vehicle when they are transported. Today technical assistance was provided on how to ensure that each child that is transported has identifying information in the vehicle, and you were able to obtain pictures to place on the vehicles today. Rated License Information Today I shared with you that the “hold harmless” state of rated license reassessments has been extended until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) standards are put in place. This means that you will not be required to have a reassessment according to timelines previously discussed, and when your reassessment is due you will have options to choose from regarding how your star level is earned. When more information becomes available about the new QRIS standards, I may assist you in determining which option is best for your program. Please note any Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scales (ITERS) or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ECERS) assessments conducted after February 1, 2025 will be the third editions, or the “3s.” The School Age Care Environment Rating Scales will continue to be used in school age classrooms. You may find more information regarding the third editions including training materials and how to purchase at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must still submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. When new QRIS rules are implemented, education requirements will be different, but it is still critical that all staff in key positions have complete WORKS evaluations to assist with the rated license reassessment process. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Due to the nature of violations cited, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/5/2024 Number Present: 115 Completed Date: 11/5/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on October 31, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned July 1, 2024, and a fire inspection was conducted August 29, 2024; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 90%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Spaces #3 and 4 were observed in individual feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Spaces #2 and 4 were observed in playing freely with rattles, large connecting blocks, and vehicles. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate outdoor playground, using riding toys and the climbing structure. In Space #1, children two and three years of age were observed picking up materials and lining up to go outside. Children three and four years of age enrolled in Space #5 were also outdoors on a larger playground, using riding toys and playing in the sand. In Spaces #8 and 9, preschool children participated in free choice activities including drawing with markers, building a house with blocks and pretending to make meals in the dramatic play area. In Space #10, school age children worked with magnet tiles, sorted plastic dinosaurs, and built structures with blocks. Lunch served consisted of breaded chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, raisins and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. School age children participated in quiet activities during this time. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's previous approved fire inspection was obtained August 10, 2023, and a new approved inspection was not obtained until August 29, 2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child four years of age was left unaccompanied in Space #9 for several minutes after the staff member assigned to this space took the rest of the children to the playground. .1801(a)(1-5) 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The ratio chart in Space #5 did not accurately reflect the age and ratio for the youngest child enrolled. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 856 The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. Two broken benches and several pieces of trash were observed on the playground used by preschool children. A broken see saw was also observed on the playground used by children two and three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(p) 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. A substitute staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 did not have TB test results until June 14, 2024. .0701(a) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member who began employment May 28, 2024 has not yet completed a Criminal Background Check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 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). A staff member's qualification letter expired August 2, 2024, and she did not submit required forms for a new background check until October 10, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency and identifying information was not in the vehicle for four children who are routinely transported from local schools to the center. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for a substitute staff member working today. In addition, another staff member worked between August 2, 2024 and October 16, 2024 without a valid qualification letter. A third staff member was also allowed to work without a valid letter from September 25, 2023 to September 27, 2023. 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. Two substitute staff members who began employment more than 90 days ago have not yet completed this training. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A substitute staff member who works more than 10 days in a 12-month period did not complete health and safety training within the first year of employment. .1102(a) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 19, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited As discussed, supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. It is the responsibility of staff to regularly count children (name to face recognition) on a routine basis, at every transition, and whenever leaving one area and arriving at another. Today, the staff member assigned to Space #9 did not count the children as they were leaving the classroom to go to the playground. As a result, a four-year-old child was left behind and was not discovered until several minutes later when I heard him crying through the wall that separates the back office from the classroom. I strongly urged you today to review your supervision policy, including the importance of conducting frequent head counts and using the lists of children to ensure each child is accounted for during transitions, with all staff members immediately. I suggested creating a form which may replace the handwritten lists staff members currently use, and this form can have columns for checking children when they exit the classroom and also when they re-enter the classroom from the playground. Remember to include any corrective measures you decide to take in your compliance letter. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding staff requirements, including requirements for criminal background checks, qualification letters, and medical requirements. As discussed, even staff members who work infrequently are required to meet the requirements for their positions, and should be documented on the Staff and Training Worksheet so their files can be reviewed. Today you stated you didn’t think staff members who only work occasionally as substitutes needed to be listed, however if you had listed them on the worksheet when they started you may have realized some of the requirements had not been met. Today you added missing staff members to the worksheet and together we reviewed the violations as well as how to correct them. I also emailed you the file checklist for substitute staff members and urged you to go through files for completion. I strongly urged you to ensure you do not let any new staff members begin employment without documentation of all medical requirements and valid qualification letters on file. When qualification letters are approaching five-year expiration, staff members must submit information for requalification prior to expiration dates, which they may do as early as six months prior. Staff members may not be allowed to work if valid qualification letters are not on file. Today, a valid qualification letter was not on file for S. Smith. A review of the ABCMS system showed that an application had been started in May 2024, however it was closed in July 2024 because fingerprints were not received. You stated you have had issues with the local Sheriff’s office failing to submit electronic fingerprints, and you didn’t realize that she never received her qualification letter because she doesn’t work very often. You provided a different substitute for Ms. Smith so she could leave today, and assisted her with redoing her application as well as how to submit a hard copy of her fingerprint card this time. She may not return to the facility without a valid qualification letter; remember to send a copy to verify compliance. For the safety of children and staff, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states a fire inspection must be scheduled and obtained within 12 months of the previous inspection. Moving forward, I suggest noting the date of your most recent inspection on a calendar, and setting a reminder for yourself to call and request your inspection at least one month in advance of the deadline. It may also help to use a checklist similar to the fire inspection form several months ahead of time, so you may anticipate any needs or potential violations and correct them within enough time to ensure you can still get an approved inspection by the deadline. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604 (p) states that once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris, vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris and broken equipment shall be removed and disposed of. Today you removed all broken items and debris; remember to include your plan for checking the premises each morning moving forward in your compliance letter. When transporting children, there must be a picture of each child attached to the emergency information for that child on the vehicle when they are transported. Today technical assistance was provided on how to ensure that each child that is transported has identifying information in the vehicle, and you were able to obtain pictures to place on the vehicles today. Rated License Information Today I shared with you that the “hold harmless” state of rated license reassessments has been extended until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) standards are put in place. This means that you will not be required to have a reassessment according to timelines previously discussed, and when your reassessment is due you will have options to choose from regarding how your star level is earned. When more information becomes available about the new QRIS standards, I may assist you in determining which option is best for your program. Please note any Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scales (ITERS) or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ECERS) assessments conducted after February 1, 2025 will be the third editions, or the “3s.” The School Age Care Environment Rating Scales will continue to be used in school age classrooms. You may find more information regarding the third editions including training materials and how to purchase at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must still submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. When new QRIS rules are implemented, education requirements will be different, but it is still critical that all staff in key positions have complete WORKS evaluations to assist with the rated license reassessment process. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Due to the nature of violations cited, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. Remember to ensure you complete all three sections of enrollment in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead in water and lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2024 Number Present: 122 Completed Date: 5/29/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on May 28, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned December 7, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 85%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed in individual sleeping and feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored today. Children one year of age enrolled in Space #2 were observed outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age in Space #6 were sitting at tables singing songs with caregivers as they waited for lunch to be served. Children two and three years of age in Space #4 were observed engaged in free choice activity areas with books, dolls, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors on a larger playground, sliding on slides and kicking and throwing balls. In Space #5, children three and four years of age were observed sitting at tables in a large group activity during which caregivers asked questions about letters and colors. Preschool children enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate playground, throwing balls and riding tricycles. Preschool children in Spaces #8-10 were observed engaged in free choice activities including drawing with dry erase markers and boards, pretending to feed dolls, building with magnet tiles, playing in the sand table, building with Duplo blocks and pretending to have a “movie night.” Lunch served consisted of breaded corn dogs, green beans, pineapple, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Three new staff members have been hired since the Annual Compliance visit. Files were monitored and in compliance today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The 2023-2024 NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool was signed by Jake Griffiths, NC Pre-K Specialist with Smart Start of Brunswick County, on December 13, 2023; items needing corrective action were not noted. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and corrected during the visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two cans of aerosol sunscreen were observed in an unlocked cabinet in Space #2. The storage room containing hazardous cleaning supplies was also observed unlocked today. .2820(b) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. An infant was observed with a pacifier attached to her clothing while asleep in a crib in Space #3. The facility's safe sleep policy states a pacifier is allowed in the sleep space but only with nothing attached. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) A compliance letter is not due as both violations were corrected during the visit. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited For the safety of the children, hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, must always be kept in locked storage. The same rule applies to sunscreens in aerosol cans. Today you locked the cabinet where the sunscreens were stored, and re-locked the storage closet with the cleaning supplies. You also stated you spoke with the lead teacher in Space #2 about keeping aerosol sunscreens locked. As a reminder, the definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Today I urged you to review your safe sleep policy with staff who work with infants to ensure everyone is aware of all requirements. For the safety of the children, your policy states that you do allow pacifiers, but with nothing attached. Today the lead teacher assigned to Space #3 immediately removed the pacifier and attachment from the crib where an infant was sleeping, and we reviewed the policy together. As discussed, if your policy allows pacifiers with no attachments, it is also best practice to remove the pacifier from the crib if it falls out of the child’s mouth. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was provided today regarding circle time, meal times and the transition to rest time. As discussed, when children are not fully engaged in a group activity, it is best practice to change the activity or offer alternate activities to avoid classroom disruptions and challenging behaviors. Some children are not able to sit in a group for more than five minutes at a time. Circle time activities should be adjusted based on their developmental levels and interest, rather than requiring them to remain sitting when they have lost interest. We also discussed that staff members should sit with and engage children in pleasant conversations during meal times, rather than completing other routine tasks which can wait until rest time. Regarding transition activities, I suggested staff members use engaging songs, stories or finger plays to help children make transitions rather than just providing directives. It is helpful to use the same ones for the same types of transitions as a “signal” to children that the activity or routine is about to change. Remind staff members that being playful and connecting with the children will help them achieve desired behaviors. When transitioning from lunch to rest time, staff members should divide duties to ensure one of them is engaging children who have finished eating in some type of activity while the other one completes routines such as cleaning up and preparing cots. Today I suggested reading a book, singing songs, doing finger plays or doing a movement activity to “get the wiggles out” prior to asking children to go to their cots. You may find a nursery rhyme to sing each day during the transition to rest time. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” works great, or you can create a naptime song. The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning has many awesome transition activities available. One naptime transition activity is to incorporate a flash light leading each child to their cot. Decorate the flashlight and make it a quiet game of “follow the light quiet as a mouse.” Reading a naptime story to the entire class works great too! Practicing deep breathing, muscle relaxation, or guided imagery are also excellent transition activities. As discussed, turning on the rest time music or dimming the lights as soon as you can will be a signal to children that it is time to transition to rest. Technical assistance was provided today regarding NC Pre-K requirements for teacher assistants, as you will be hiring a new one for the next school year. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3013 requires teacher assistants to hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or hold or be working toward an Associate Degree or higher in birth-through-kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the Associate Degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. Today you also asked about fall zone requirements for a saucer swing you have purchased for children three to five years of age. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605 (m)(2) states swings shall have protective surfacing that extends two times the length of the pivot point to the surface below. The surfacing shall be to the front and rear of the swing. You may also want to check the NCRLAP Requirements for Gross Motor Space and Equipment for additional information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Annual Compliance visit, your facility has been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. You could also choose to have assessments during both years, and use the highest scores earned on each scale. It is also possible that by the time your reassessment is due, the way points are earned will look different. I will be in touch with more information as it becomes available and as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must complete the registration process, apply for a lead teacher position and submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by August 10, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .0606 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2024 Number Present: 122 Completed Date: 5/29/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on May 28, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned December 7, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 85%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed in individual sleeping and feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored today. Children one year of age enrolled in Space #2 were observed outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age in Space #6 were sitting at tables singing songs with caregivers as they waited for lunch to be served. Children two and three years of age in Space #4 were observed engaged in free choice activity areas with books, dolls, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors on a larger playground, sliding on slides and kicking and throwing balls. In Space #5, children three and four years of age were observed sitting at tables in a large group activity during which caregivers asked questions about letters and colors. Preschool children enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate playground, throwing balls and riding tricycles. Preschool children in Spaces #8-10 were observed engaged in free choice activities including drawing with dry erase markers and boards, pretending to feed dolls, building with magnet tiles, playing in the sand table, building with Duplo blocks and pretending to have a “movie night.” Lunch served consisted of breaded corn dogs, green beans, pineapple, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Three new staff members have been hired since the Annual Compliance visit. Files were monitored and in compliance today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The 2023-2024 NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool was signed by Jake Griffiths, NC Pre-K Specialist with Smart Start of Brunswick County, on December 13, 2023; items needing corrective action were not noted. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and corrected during the visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two cans of aerosol sunscreen were observed in an unlocked cabinet in Space #2. The storage room containing hazardous cleaning supplies was also observed unlocked today. .2820(b) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. An infant was observed with a pacifier attached to her clothing while asleep in a crib in Space #3. The facility's safe sleep policy states a pacifier is allowed in the sleep space but only with nothing attached. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) A compliance letter is not due as both violations were corrected during the visit. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited For the safety of the children, hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, must always be kept in locked storage. The same rule applies to sunscreens in aerosol cans. Today you locked the cabinet where the sunscreens were stored, and re-locked the storage closet with the cleaning supplies. You also stated you spoke with the lead teacher in Space #2 about keeping aerosol sunscreens locked. As a reminder, the definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Today I urged you to review your safe sleep policy with staff who work with infants to ensure everyone is aware of all requirements. For the safety of the children, your policy states that you do allow pacifiers, but with nothing attached. Today the lead teacher assigned to Space #3 immediately removed the pacifier and attachment from the crib where an infant was sleeping, and we reviewed the policy together. As discussed, if your policy allows pacifiers with no attachments, it is also best practice to remove the pacifier from the crib if it falls out of the child’s mouth. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was provided today regarding circle time, meal times and the transition to rest time. As discussed, when children are not fully engaged in a group activity, it is best practice to change the activity or offer alternate activities to avoid classroom disruptions and challenging behaviors. Some children are not able to sit in a group for more than five minutes at a time. Circle time activities should be adjusted based on their developmental levels and interest, rather than requiring them to remain sitting when they have lost interest. We also discussed that staff members should sit with and engage children in pleasant conversations during meal times, rather than completing other routine tasks which can wait until rest time. Regarding transition activities, I suggested staff members use engaging songs, stories or finger plays to help children make transitions rather than just providing directives. It is helpful to use the same ones for the same types of transitions as a “signal” to children that the activity or routine is about to change. Remind staff members that being playful and connecting with the children will help them achieve desired behaviors. When transitioning from lunch to rest time, staff members should divide duties to ensure one of them is engaging children who have finished eating in some type of activity while the other one completes routines such as cleaning up and preparing cots. Today I suggested reading a book, singing songs, doing finger plays or doing a movement activity to “get the wiggles out” prior to asking children to go to their cots. You may find a nursery rhyme to sing each day during the transition to rest time. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” works great, or you can create a naptime song. The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning has many awesome transition activities available. One naptime transition activity is to incorporate a flash light leading each child to their cot. Decorate the flashlight and make it a quiet game of “follow the light quiet as a mouse.” Reading a naptime story to the entire class works great too! Practicing deep breathing, muscle relaxation, or guided imagery are also excellent transition activities. As discussed, turning on the rest time music or dimming the lights as soon as you can will be a signal to children that it is time to transition to rest. Technical assistance was provided today regarding NC Pre-K requirements for teacher assistants, as you will be hiring a new one for the next school year. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3013 requires teacher assistants to hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or hold or be working toward an Associate Degree or higher in birth-through-kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the Associate Degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. Today you also asked about fall zone requirements for a saucer swing you have purchased for children three to five years of age. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605 (m)(2) states swings shall have protective surfacing that extends two times the length of the pivot point to the surface below. The surfacing shall be to the front and rear of the swing. You may also want to check the NCRLAP Requirements for Gross Motor Space and Equipment for additional information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Annual Compliance visit, your facility has been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. You could also choose to have assessments during both years, and use the highest scores earned on each scale. It is also possible that by the time your reassessment is due, the way points are earned will look different. I will be in touch with more information as it becomes available and as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must complete the registration process, apply for a lead teacher position and submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by August 10, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .3013 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2024 Number Present: 122 Completed Date: 5/29/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on May 28, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned December 7, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 85%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed in individual sleeping and feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored today. Children one year of age enrolled in Space #2 were observed outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age in Space #6 were sitting at tables singing songs with caregivers as they waited for lunch to be served. Children two and three years of age in Space #4 were observed engaged in free choice activity areas with books, dolls, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors on a larger playground, sliding on slides and kicking and throwing balls. In Space #5, children three and four years of age were observed sitting at tables in a large group activity during which caregivers asked questions about letters and colors. Preschool children enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate playground, throwing balls and riding tricycles. Preschool children in Spaces #8-10 were observed engaged in free choice activities including drawing with dry erase markers and boards, pretending to feed dolls, building with magnet tiles, playing in the sand table, building with Duplo blocks and pretending to have a “movie night.” Lunch served consisted of breaded corn dogs, green beans, pineapple, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Three new staff members have been hired since the Annual Compliance visit. Files were monitored and in compliance today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The 2023-2024 NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool was signed by Jake Griffiths, NC Pre-K Specialist with Smart Start of Brunswick County, on December 13, 2023; items needing corrective action were not noted. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and corrected during the visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two cans of aerosol sunscreen were observed in an unlocked cabinet in Space #2. The storage room containing hazardous cleaning supplies was also observed unlocked today. .2820(b) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. An infant was observed with a pacifier attached to her clothing while asleep in a crib in Space #3. The facility's safe sleep policy states a pacifier is allowed in the sleep space but only with nothing attached. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) A compliance letter is not due as both violations were corrected during the visit. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited For the safety of the children, hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, must always be kept in locked storage. The same rule applies to sunscreens in aerosol cans. Today you locked the cabinet where the sunscreens were stored, and re-locked the storage closet with the cleaning supplies. You also stated you spoke with the lead teacher in Space #2 about keeping aerosol sunscreens locked. As a reminder, the definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Today I urged you to review your safe sleep policy with staff who work with infants to ensure everyone is aware of all requirements. For the safety of the children, your policy states that you do allow pacifiers, but with nothing attached. Today the lead teacher assigned to Space #3 immediately removed the pacifier and attachment from the crib where an infant was sleeping, and we reviewed the policy together. As discussed, if your policy allows pacifiers with no attachments, it is also best practice to remove the pacifier from the crib if it falls out of the child’s mouth. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was provided today regarding circle time, meal times and the transition to rest time. As discussed, when children are not fully engaged in a group activity, it is best practice to change the activity or offer alternate activities to avoid classroom disruptions and challenging behaviors. Some children are not able to sit in a group for more than five minutes at a time. Circle time activities should be adjusted based on their developmental levels and interest, rather than requiring them to remain sitting when they have lost interest. We also discussed that staff members should sit with and engage children in pleasant conversations during meal times, rather than completing other routine tasks which can wait until rest time. Regarding transition activities, I suggested staff members use engaging songs, stories or finger plays to help children make transitions rather than just providing directives. It is helpful to use the same ones for the same types of transitions as a “signal” to children that the activity or routine is about to change. Remind staff members that being playful and connecting with the children will help them achieve desired behaviors. When transitioning from lunch to rest time, staff members should divide duties to ensure one of them is engaging children who have finished eating in some type of activity while the other one completes routines such as cleaning up and preparing cots. Today I suggested reading a book, singing songs, doing finger plays or doing a movement activity to “get the wiggles out” prior to asking children to go to their cots. You may find a nursery rhyme to sing each day during the transition to rest time. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” works great, or you can create a naptime song. The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning has many awesome transition activities available. One naptime transition activity is to incorporate a flash light leading each child to their cot. Decorate the flashlight and make it a quiet game of “follow the light quiet as a mouse.” Reading a naptime story to the entire class works great too! Practicing deep breathing, muscle relaxation, or guided imagery are also excellent transition activities. As discussed, turning on the rest time music or dimming the lights as soon as you can will be a signal to children that it is time to transition to rest. Technical assistance was provided today regarding NC Pre-K requirements for teacher assistants, as you will be hiring a new one for the next school year. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3013 requires teacher assistants to hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or hold or be working toward an Associate Degree or higher in birth-through-kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the Associate Degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. Today you also asked about fall zone requirements for a saucer swing you have purchased for children three to five years of age. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605 (m)(2) states swings shall have protective surfacing that extends two times the length of the pivot point to the surface below. The surfacing shall be to the front and rear of the swing. You may also want to check the NCRLAP Requirements for Gross Motor Space and Equipment for additional information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Annual Compliance visit, your facility has been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. You could also choose to have assessments during both years, and use the highest scores earned on each scale. It is also possible that by the time your reassessment is due, the way points are earned will look different. I will be in touch with more information as it becomes available and as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must complete the registration process, apply for a lead teacher position and submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by August 10, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2024 Number Present: 122 Completed Date: 5/29/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 220 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on May 28, 2024. The last annual compliance visit was conducted November 8, 2023. An Approved sanitation rating was earned December 7, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 85%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed in individual sleeping and feeding routines as well as play activities on the floor with caregivers. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored today. Children one year of age enrolled in Space #2 were observed outdoors on the small, fenced in playground playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age in Space #6 were sitting at tables singing songs with caregivers as they waited for lunch to be served. Children two and three years of age in Space #4 were observed engaged in free choice activity areas with books, dolls, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors on a larger playground, sliding on slides and kicking and throwing balls. In Space #5, children three and four years of age were observed sitting at tables in a large group activity during which caregivers asked questions about letters and colors. Preschool children enrolled in Space #7 were observed on a separate playground, throwing balls and riding tricycles. Preschool children in Spaces #8-10 were observed engaged in free choice activities including drawing with dry erase markers and boards, pretending to feed dolls, building with magnet tiles, playing in the sand table, building with Duplo blocks and pretending to have a “movie night.” Lunch served consisted of breaded corn dogs, green beans, pineapple, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Three new staff members have been hired since the Annual Compliance visit. Files were monitored and in compliance today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The 2023-2024 NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool was signed by Jake Griffiths, NC Pre-K Specialist with Smart Start of Brunswick County, on December 13, 2023; items needing corrective action were not noted. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and corrected during the visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Two cans of aerosol sunscreen were observed in an unlocked cabinet in Space #2. The storage room containing hazardous cleaning supplies was also observed unlocked today. .2820(b) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. An infant was observed with a pacifier attached to her clothing while asleep in a crib in Space #3. The facility's safe sleep policy states a pacifier is allowed in the sleep space but only with nothing attached. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) A compliance letter is not due as both violations were corrected during the visit. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited For the safety of the children, hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, must always be kept in locked storage. The same rule applies to sunscreens in aerosol cans. Today you locked the cabinet where the sunscreens were stored, and re-locked the storage closet with the cleaning supplies. You also stated you spoke with the lead teacher in Space #2 about keeping aerosol sunscreens locked. As a reminder, the definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Today I urged you to review your safe sleep policy with staff who work with infants to ensure everyone is aware of all requirements. For the safety of the children, your policy states that you do allow pacifiers, but with nothing attached. Today the lead teacher assigned to Space #3 immediately removed the pacifier and attachment from the crib where an infant was sleeping, and we reviewed the policy together. As discussed, if your policy allows pacifiers with no attachments, it is also best practice to remove the pacifier from the crib if it falls out of the child’s mouth. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was provided today regarding circle time, meal times and the transition to rest time. As discussed, when children are not fully engaged in a group activity, it is best practice to change the activity or offer alternate activities to avoid classroom disruptions and challenging behaviors. Some children are not able to sit in a group for more than five minutes at a time. Circle time activities should be adjusted based on their developmental levels and interest, rather than requiring them to remain sitting when they have lost interest. We also discussed that staff members should sit with and engage children in pleasant conversations during meal times, rather than completing other routine tasks which can wait until rest time. Regarding transition activities, I suggested staff members use engaging songs, stories or finger plays to help children make transitions rather than just providing directives. It is helpful to use the same ones for the same types of transitions as a “signal” to children that the activity or routine is about to change. Remind staff members that being playful and connecting with the children will help them achieve desired behaviors. When transitioning from lunch to rest time, staff members should divide duties to ensure one of them is engaging children who have finished eating in some type of activity while the other one completes routines such as cleaning up and preparing cots. Today I suggested reading a book, singing songs, doing finger plays or doing a movement activity to “get the wiggles out” prior to asking children to go to their cots. You may find a nursery rhyme to sing each day during the transition to rest time. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” works great, or you can create a naptime song. The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning has many awesome transition activities available. One naptime transition activity is to incorporate a flash light leading each child to their cot. Decorate the flashlight and make it a quiet game of “follow the light quiet as a mouse.” Reading a naptime story to the entire class works great too! Practicing deep breathing, muscle relaxation, or guided imagery are also excellent transition activities. As discussed, turning on the rest time music or dimming the lights as soon as you can will be a signal to children that it is time to transition to rest. Technical assistance was provided today regarding NC Pre-K requirements for teacher assistants, as you will be hiring a new one for the next school year. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3013 requires teacher assistants to hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or hold or be working toward an Associate Degree or higher in birth-through-kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the Associate Degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. Today you also asked about fall zone requirements for a saucer swing you have purchased for children three to five years of age. As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605 (m)(2) states swings shall have protective surfacing that extends two times the length of the pivot point to the surface below. The surfacing shall be to the front and rear of the swing. You may also want to check the NCRLAP Requirements for Gross Motor Space and Equipment for additional information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Annual Compliance visit, your facility has been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. You could also choose to have assessments during both years, and use the highest scores earned on each scale. It is also possible that by the time your reassessment is due, the way points are earned will look different. I will be in touch with more information as it becomes available and as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you today. As discussed, T. Conrad must complete the registration process, apply for a lead teacher position and submit official transcripts to complete her evaluation. It appears you are maintaining compliance with Education Standards pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders Criminal records qualification letters for some of your staff expire this year. I strongly encourage you to ask them to submit information for requalification ahead of schedule, to avoid any potential delays. Applications may be sent as early as six months prior to expiration. To access the online portal for criminal background checks, please visit https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by August 10, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/8/2023 Number Present: 128 Completed Date: 11/8/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 195 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on November 7, 2023. The last annual compliance visit was conducted December 1, 2022. A Superior sanitation rating was earned June 16, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 89%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Child Care Consultant A. Bosse was also present and assisted with the visit today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed moving freely around the room and playing with soft toys, manipulative toys and play mats. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Space #2 were observed outdoors playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were sitting at tables stacking cups, completing puzzles, and building with large blocks. Children two years of age enrolled in Space #4 were observed engaged in activity areas with books, puppets, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors sliding on slides, riding bikes and kicking balls. In Space #5, children three years of age were engaged outdoors in the sand, running, sliding and climbing on the structure. Preschool children enrolled in Spaces #7 and 8 were observed outdoors playing tag and throwing balls or engaged in group time singing about their mornings. Preschool children in Space #9 were observed engaged in activity areas with a sensory table, matching cup game, magnets, and markers. Preschool children in Space #10 were engaged in activity areas dressing up, reading books and lining up dinosaurs. Lunch served consisted of chicken nuggets, peas and corn, apple slices, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Any other product that is labeled "keep out of reach of children" and does not have any other warnings on the label shall be kept inaccessible to children when not in use, but is not required to be kept in locked storage. A container of disinfectant wipes labeled "keep out of reach of children" were in a low, unlocked cabinet and not kept inaccessible to children. .2820(b) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. A health care professional or hospital preference was not listed on one of the eighteen children's applications monitored today. .0802(c)(2) 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. Two staff members did not complete this training within 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Two staff members employed more than one year have not yet completed all health and safety training topics. .1102(a) 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. One staff member who has been employed more than five years has not yet repeated all health and safety training topics. .1103(b) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 22, 2023. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Staff members C. Faircloth, D. Vereen and R. Lewis must complete the Medication Administration Training in order to complete all the required Health and Safety trainings. Today you stated this topic was missed due to the training being on a different page in Moodle. Today Ms. Bosse showed you where to find this topic, and we discussed ensuring all topics have dates on the Health and Safety Training Record prior to putting a completion date on the Staff and Training Worksheet. Please also use the worksheet to help you track due dates for all topics as required. Remember, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is required within 90 days of employment. Disinfecting wipes found in Space #4 with a warning “Keep out of reach of children” were not 5 feet above the floor and were within reach of children. Please review child care rules regarding storage and accessibility of potentially hazardous items. Items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” with no other warnings must be stored at a minimum of five feet off the floor. Hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, as well as medications must be kept in locked storage. The definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Ensure that all cleaning supplies and other items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” are kept inaccessible while children are in care. Technical Assistance For the safety of the children, ensure any plastic bags used for storage are kept inaccessible to children under the age of three years old by keeping them at a minimum height of five feet off the floor. If parents are brining in items in plastic bags, the caregivers must ensure they are monitoring the cubbies and removing any plastic bags for classrooms with children under three years of age. Staff shall role model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming only food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in Paragraph (a) of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901 GENERAL NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS in the presence of children in care. Today we discussed giving non-mobile infants a safe area where they can play on the floor where mobile infants are not able to have access to them. Creating a safe space for non-mobile infants will allow the infants more time on the floor to play and less time in bounce chairs or exersaucers. Freedom of movement and tummy time activities are critical to infants’ health and physical development. Rated License Information Your facility’s three-year rated license reassessment was voluntarily conducted in April 2022, therefore you have been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. In the meantime, I encourage you to use resources such as the NCRLAP website, Smart Start of Brunswick County, and Region 4 CCR&R to prepare for your reassessment. I will be in touch regarding timelines as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you and noted on the Staff and Training Worksheet today. Regarding Education standards, it appears you are maintaining compliance pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders You must ensure staff members whose CPR/FA expires in the next three months complete recertification prior to the expiration dates. Please also remember that NC Pre-K assistant teachers are now required to complete 15 hours of on-going annually. Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Sanitation rules were also readopted July 1, 2023. I strongly urge you to review the training information at https://ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/hhccehb/cehu/ccs/op-training.htm, and contact Children’s Environmental Health Services with any questions. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/8/2023 Number Present: 128 Completed Date: 11/8/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 195 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on November 7, 2023. The last annual compliance visit was conducted December 1, 2022. A Superior sanitation rating was earned June 16, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 89%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Child Care Consultant A. Bosse was also present and assisted with the visit today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed moving freely around the room and playing with soft toys, manipulative toys and play mats. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Space #2 were observed outdoors playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were sitting at tables stacking cups, completing puzzles, and building with large blocks. Children two years of age enrolled in Space #4 were observed engaged in activity areas with books, puppets, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors sliding on slides, riding bikes and kicking balls. In Space #5, children three years of age were engaged outdoors in the sand, running, sliding and climbing on the structure. Preschool children enrolled in Spaces #7 and 8 were observed outdoors playing tag and throwing balls or engaged in group time singing about their mornings. Preschool children in Space #9 were observed engaged in activity areas with a sensory table, matching cup game, magnets, and markers. Preschool children in Space #10 were engaged in activity areas dressing up, reading books and lining up dinosaurs. Lunch served consisted of chicken nuggets, peas and corn, apple slices, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Any other product that is labeled "keep out of reach of children" and does not have any other warnings on the label shall be kept inaccessible to children when not in use, but is not required to be kept in locked storage. A container of disinfectant wipes labeled "keep out of reach of children" were in a low, unlocked cabinet and not kept inaccessible to children. .2820(b) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. A health care professional or hospital preference was not listed on one of the eighteen children's applications monitored today. .0802(c)(2) 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. Two staff members did not complete this training within 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Two staff members employed more than one year have not yet completed all health and safety training topics. .1102(a) 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. One staff member who has been employed more than five years has not yet repeated all health and safety training topics. .1103(b) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 22, 2023. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Staff members C. Faircloth, D. Vereen and R. Lewis must complete the Medication Administration Training in order to complete all the required Health and Safety trainings. Today you stated this topic was missed due to the training being on a different page in Moodle. Today Ms. Bosse showed you where to find this topic, and we discussed ensuring all topics have dates on the Health and Safety Training Record prior to putting a completion date on the Staff and Training Worksheet. Please also use the worksheet to help you track due dates for all topics as required. Remember, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is required within 90 days of employment. Disinfecting wipes found in Space #4 with a warning “Keep out of reach of children” were not 5 feet above the floor and were within reach of children. Please review child care rules regarding storage and accessibility of potentially hazardous items. Items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” with no other warnings must be stored at a minimum of five feet off the floor. Hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, as well as medications must be kept in locked storage. The definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Ensure that all cleaning supplies and other items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” are kept inaccessible while children are in care. Technical Assistance For the safety of the children, ensure any plastic bags used for storage are kept inaccessible to children under the age of three years old by keeping them at a minimum height of five feet off the floor. If parents are brining in items in plastic bags, the caregivers must ensure they are monitoring the cubbies and removing any plastic bags for classrooms with children under three years of age. Staff shall role model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming only food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in Paragraph (a) of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901 GENERAL NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS in the presence of children in care. Today we discussed giving non-mobile infants a safe area where they can play on the floor where mobile infants are not able to have access to them. Creating a safe space for non-mobile infants will allow the infants more time on the floor to play and less time in bounce chairs or exersaucers. Freedom of movement and tummy time activities are critical to infants’ health and physical development. Rated License Information Your facility’s three-year rated license reassessment was voluntarily conducted in April 2022, therefore you have been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. In the meantime, I encourage you to use resources such as the NCRLAP website, Smart Start of Brunswick County, and Region 4 CCR&R to prepare for your reassessment. I will be in touch regarding timelines as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you and noted on the Staff and Training Worksheet today. Regarding Education standards, it appears you are maintaining compliance pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders You must ensure staff members whose CPR/FA expires in the next three months complete recertification prior to the expiration dates. Please also remember that NC Pre-K assistant teachers are now required to complete 15 hours of on-going annually. Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Sanitation rules were also readopted July 1, 2023. I strongly urge you to review the training information at https://ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/hhccehb/cehu/ccs/op-training.htm, and contact Children’s Environmental Health Services with any questions. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .3009 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/8/2023 Number Present: 128 Completed Date: 11/8/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 195 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on November 7, 2023. The last annual compliance visit was conducted December 1, 2022. A Superior sanitation rating was earned June 16, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 89%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Child Care Consultant A. Bosse was also present and assisted with the visit today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed moving freely around the room and playing with soft toys, manipulative toys and play mats. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Space #2 were observed outdoors playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were sitting at tables stacking cups, completing puzzles, and building with large blocks. Children two years of age enrolled in Space #4 were observed engaged in activity areas with books, puppets, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors sliding on slides, riding bikes and kicking balls. In Space #5, children three years of age were engaged outdoors in the sand, running, sliding and climbing on the structure. Preschool children enrolled in Spaces #7 and 8 were observed outdoors playing tag and throwing balls or engaged in group time singing about their mornings. Preschool children in Space #9 were observed engaged in activity areas with a sensory table, matching cup game, magnets, and markers. Preschool children in Space #10 were engaged in activity areas dressing up, reading books and lining up dinosaurs. Lunch served consisted of chicken nuggets, peas and corn, apple slices, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Any other product that is labeled "keep out of reach of children" and does not have any other warnings on the label shall be kept inaccessible to children when not in use, but is not required to be kept in locked storage. A container of disinfectant wipes labeled "keep out of reach of children" were in a low, unlocked cabinet and not kept inaccessible to children. .2820(b) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. A health care professional or hospital preference was not listed on one of the eighteen children's applications monitored today. .0802(c)(2) 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. Two staff members did not complete this training within 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Two staff members employed more than one year have not yet completed all health and safety training topics. .1102(a) 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. One staff member who has been employed more than five years has not yet repeated all health and safety training topics. .1103(b) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 22, 2023. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Staff members C. Faircloth, D. Vereen and R. Lewis must complete the Medication Administration Training in order to complete all the required Health and Safety trainings. Today you stated this topic was missed due to the training being on a different page in Moodle. Today Ms. Bosse showed you where to find this topic, and we discussed ensuring all topics have dates on the Health and Safety Training Record prior to putting a completion date on the Staff and Training Worksheet. Please also use the worksheet to help you track due dates for all topics as required. Remember, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is required within 90 days of employment. Disinfecting wipes found in Space #4 with a warning “Keep out of reach of children” were not 5 feet above the floor and were within reach of children. Please review child care rules regarding storage and accessibility of potentially hazardous items. Items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” with no other warnings must be stored at a minimum of five feet off the floor. Hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, as well as medications must be kept in locked storage. The definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Ensure that all cleaning supplies and other items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” are kept inaccessible while children are in care. Technical Assistance For the safety of the children, ensure any plastic bags used for storage are kept inaccessible to children under the age of three years old by keeping them at a minimum height of five feet off the floor. If parents are brining in items in plastic bags, the caregivers must ensure they are monitoring the cubbies and removing any plastic bags for classrooms with children under three years of age. Staff shall role model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming only food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in Paragraph (a) of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901 GENERAL NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS in the presence of children in care. Today we discussed giving non-mobile infants a safe area where they can play on the floor where mobile infants are not able to have access to them. Creating a safe space for non-mobile infants will allow the infants more time on the floor to play and less time in bounce chairs or exersaucers. Freedom of movement and tummy time activities are critical to infants’ health and physical development. Rated License Information Your facility’s three-year rated license reassessment was voluntarily conducted in April 2022, therefore you have been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. In the meantime, I encourage you to use resources such as the NCRLAP website, Smart Start of Brunswick County, and Region 4 CCR&R to prepare for your reassessment. I will be in touch regarding timelines as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you and noted on the Staff and Training Worksheet today. Regarding Education standards, it appears you are maintaining compliance pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders You must ensure staff members whose CPR/FA expires in the next three months complete recertification prior to the expiration dates. Please also remember that NC Pre-K assistant teachers are now required to complete 15 hours of on-going annually. Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Sanitation rules were also readopted July 1, 2023. I strongly urge you to review the training information at https://ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/hhccehb/cehu/ccs/op-training.htm, and contact Children’s Environmental Health Services with any questions. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/8/2023 Number Present: 128 Completed Date: 11/8/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 195 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. The facility was also monitored for implementing an approved curriculum with children four years of age as required by the star rating; this program uses Creative Curriculum, Fourth Edition. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the NC Secretary of State’s office on November 7, 2023. The last annual compliance visit was conducted December 1, 2022. A Superior sanitation rating was earned June 16, 2023, and a fire inspection was conducted August 10, 2023; the facility was approved for day time care only. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 89%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and office staff members C. Johnson and L. Gore, were present and available for consultation today. Child Care Consultant A. Bosse was also present and assisted with the visit today. Ten indoor and four outdoor spaces are approved for use by children. Infants in Space #3 were observed moving freely around the room and playing with soft toys, manipulative toys and play mats. Safe sleep practices including documentation were monitored and in compliance today. Children one year of age in Space #2 were observed outdoors playing in the sand, pushing toys, and playing with ride on toys. Children one and two years of age enrolled in Space #6 were sitting at tables stacking cups, completing puzzles, and building with large blocks. Children two years of age enrolled in Space #4 were observed engaged in activity areas with books, puppets, and manipulative toys while caregivers sat close by. Children two and three years of age enrolled in Space #1 were observed outdoors sliding on slides, riding bikes and kicking balls. In Space #5, children three years of age were engaged outdoors in the sand, running, sliding and climbing on the structure. Preschool children enrolled in Spaces #7 and 8 were observed outdoors playing tag and throwing balls or engaged in group time singing about their mornings. Preschool children in Space #9 were observed engaged in activity areas with a sensory table, matching cup game, magnets, and markers. Preschool children in Space #10 were engaged in activity areas dressing up, reading books and lining up dinosaurs. Lunch served consisted of chicken nuggets, peas and corn, apple slices, and milk. After lunch, children one through five years of age rested on appropriately spaced cots with individual linens. Lights were dimmed and soft music played. Required health and safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 were monitored today. NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Spaces #8 and 10 are operated as NC Pre-K classrooms. The NC Pre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the Child Care Rules were monitored for compliance today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance. Children in this program attend from 8:15am to 2:45pm, meeting the instructional day requirement of 6.5 hours. This NC Pre-K program uses Creative Curriculum, DIAL 4 Developmental screening, and Teaching Strategies Gold for their ongoing assessments. Lead teachers have completed developmental screenings and collected all required health assessments including vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Evidence of on-going assessments was observed in children’s portfolios and on the Teaching Strategies GOLD app. Ms. Williams also shared how contacts with parents are made and documented when children are absent more than three consecutive days. NC Pre-K staff information was verified in the NC Pre-K Plan, and all staff members meet requirements for qualifications or have been approved as substitutes by the contracting agency. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) score received on 4-12-22 was 5.95. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Any other product that is labeled "keep out of reach of children" and does not have any other warnings on the label shall be kept inaccessible to children when not in use, but is not required to be kept in locked storage. A container of disinfectant wipes labeled "keep out of reach of children" were in a low, unlocked cabinet and not kept inaccessible to children. .2820(b) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. A health care professional or hospital preference was not listed on one of the eighteen children's applications monitored today. .0802(c)(2) 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. Two staff members did not complete this training within 90 days of hire. .1102(g) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Two staff members employed more than one year have not yet completed all health and safety training topics. .1102(a) 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. One staff member who has been employed more than five years has not yet repeated all health and safety training topics. .1103(b) A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by November 22, 2023. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Staff members C. Faircloth, D. Vereen and R. Lewis must complete the Medication Administration Training in order to complete all the required Health and Safety trainings. Today you stated this topic was missed due to the training being on a different page in Moodle. Today Ms. Bosse showed you where to find this topic, and we discussed ensuring all topics have dates on the Health and Safety Training Record prior to putting a completion date on the Staff and Training Worksheet. Please also use the worksheet to help you track due dates for all topics as required. Remember, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is required within 90 days of employment. Disinfecting wipes found in Space #4 with a warning “Keep out of reach of children” were not 5 feet above the floor and were within reach of children. Please review child care rules regarding storage and accessibility of potentially hazardous items. Items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” with no other warnings must be stored at a minimum of five feet off the floor. Hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, as well as medications must be kept in locked storage. The definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Regular childproofing locks do not meet this requirement. Ensure that all cleaning supplies and other items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” are kept inaccessible while children are in care. Technical Assistance For the safety of the children, ensure any plastic bags used for storage are kept inaccessible to children under the age of three years old by keeping them at a minimum height of five feet off the floor. If parents are brining in items in plastic bags, the caregivers must ensure they are monitoring the cubbies and removing any plastic bags for classrooms with children under three years of age. Staff shall role model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming only food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in Paragraph (a) of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901 GENERAL NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS in the presence of children in care. Today we discussed giving non-mobile infants a safe area where they can play on the floor where mobile infants are not able to have access to them. Creating a safe space for non-mobile infants will allow the infants more time on the floor to play and less time in bounce chairs or exersaucers. Freedom of movement and tummy time activities are critical to infants’ health and physical development. Rated License Information Your facility’s three-year rated license reassessment was voluntarily conducted in April 2022, therefore you have been placed in “Cohort 3” of the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. This means your planning/preparation year will be 7/1/25-6/30/26, and your next reassessment will be due between 7/1/26 and 6/30/27. As you typically have the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) conducted, we discussed that you will have the option to request an ERS assessment during your planning year if you wish, or you may wait until your reassessment year. In the meantime, I encourage you to use resources such as the NCRLAP website, Smart Start of Brunswick County, and Region 4 CCR&R to prepare for your reassessment. I will be in touch regarding timelines as your planning year approaches. Information from DCDEE WORKS was reviewed with you and noted on the Staff and Training Worksheet today. Regarding Education standards, it appears you are maintaining compliance pending evaluation of new assistant teachers. As discussed, to remain eligible for seven points, you must ensure at least 50% of assistant teachers have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or Equivalency with 6 additional semester hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework and two years of experience. Please let me know if you need assistance with the WORKS portal. Reminders You must ensure staff members whose CPR/FA expires in the next three months complete recertification prior to the expiration dates. Please also remember that NC Pre-K assistant teachers are now required to complete 15 hours of on-going annually. Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Sanitation rules were also readopted July 1, 2023. I strongly urge you to review the training information at https://ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/hhccehb/cehu/ccs/op-training.htm, and contact Children’s Environmental Health Services with any questions. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0923-132L Visit Date: 9/18/2023 Number Present: 100 Completed Date: 9/18/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 180 Time In: 08:05 AM Time Out: 11:05 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with child care requirements pertinent to this visit type and to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the Secretary of State’s office September 14, 2023. The last annual compliance visit was conducted December 1, 2022. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 91%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and Assistant Directors, L. Gore and C. Johnson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, a facility observation was conducted and staff/child ratios were monitored. In Space #6, fourteen children one year of age were observed eating a breakfast of cheese toast with pears and milk; two staff members were present in this space. Once children had finished breakfast, one of the staff members escorted seven children one year of age to Space #2, which is the classroom she is currently assigned to. Another child came into Space #2 a few minutes later, and this staff member was alone with eight children one year of age for approximately ten minutes until a second staff member entered. Infants were observed in individual feeding routines and play activities in their classroom. Children two through five years of age were observed eating breakfast, engaging in free choice activities in the classrooms, and playing outside on the fenced in playgrounds. The allegations were reviewed with Ms. Williams, Ms. Gore, and Ms. Johnson, and they were given the opportunity to state their perceptions of the allegations. Ms. Williams stated she had been out sick for the previous seven days, Ms. Gore stated she was on vacation the previous two weeks, and Ms. Johnson stated three additional full time staff members were absent several days last week. Ms. Williams stated with staff absences they had struggled to maintain staff/child ratios between 7:30 and 9am, however all ratios were in compliance by 9am each day. Ms. Gore was observed working in classrooms this morning to assist with maintaining ratios, however some staff members were still absent or late and she could not assist each classroom that needed it. Two classroom staff members were also interviewed separately and privately. Allegation One: There are concerns regarding staff/child ratios. During today’s visit, at 8:10am, fourteen children one year of age were observed with two staff members in Space #6. From 8:15-8:25am, one staff member was observed alone with eight children one year of age in Space #2. In addition, staff members assigned to Spaces #2 and 6, which are used to care for children one year of age, both reported that they have occasionally been out of ratio in the mornings recently while waiting on additional staff members to arrive. Ms. Williams and Ms. Gore stated they have not always been able to maintain ratios in each classroom before 9am due to being short staffed. Based on my observations and staff interviews, this allegation is substantiated. Allegation Two: There are concerns regarding safe environment. When I arrived at the facility this morning, the second door leading to the classrooms was observed propped open. Administrative staff members were questioned regarding the facility’s drop-off and pickup procedures. Ms. Williams, Ms. Gore and Ms. Johnson stated that the second door is typically closed and locked, and will only unlock after parents/guardians enter individual codes on a keypad. They also stated, however, that recently they have left the door propped open in the early mornings because some parents don’t have codes yet or codes are only working intermittently, and there is not always someone in the front office to assist parents due to administrative staff having to be in classrooms. It was observed today that the second door was closed before 9am, and administrative staff members stated they typically leave it closed throughout the rest of the day if they have to leave the front office for any reason. Ms. Williams and Ms. Johnson both stated during pickup times if they have to leave the front office they ensure the door is closed so only those with individual pickup codes can enter the classrooms. They also both stated if someone without a code comes into the building, they will have to wait for an office staff member to open the second door before being given access to the classrooms. Ms. Williams further stated staff members know to call the front office if anyone they don’t recognize as an authorized pickup person tries to pick up a child from a classroom. Based on my observations and staff interviews, this allegation is unsubstantiated. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violation was observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. At 8:10am, fourteen children one year of age were observed in Space #6 with two staff members. In addition, from 8:15-8:25am, one staff member was present with eight children one year of age in Space #2. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by October 2, 2023. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Maintaining staff/child ratios and maximum group sizes is essential to the health and safety of children. As discussed, you must ensure that you can correct potential issues with compliance before they happen, not after. As children are arriving and transitioning between indoor spaces in the mornings, staff must regularly count children (name to face recognition) and administrative staff must ensure enough additional staff members are present to assist with the maintenance of ratios. Today I advised you to try a “cheat sheet” on which you can keep track of where each child goes in the morning. This will allow you to quickly see if/when any of the staff members are getting close to their maximum ratio or group size, so you can assist before they become out of compliance. I also suggested that during times of staff shortage, you schedule some staff members to come in earlier than normal to ensure you have extra staff on site to maintain ratios during drop off times. As discussed, two office staff members may need to be present in the mornings when several teachers are out so one person can assist with maintaining ratios and one person can be assigned the task of keeping track of children as they get dropped off. In the event that enough staff members to maintain ratios cannot be present, you may have to tell parents you cannot open classrooms or are opening classrooms later than normal until you are fully staffed again. I suggested that you share with parents that you are required to maintain ratios at all times, and that if enough staff are not present you would be out of compliance with Child Care Laws if you continued to allow all the children to come in. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was provided today regarding supervision while children are outdoors. As discussed, the definition of adequate supervision includes that staff members must interact with the children while moving about the indoor or outdoor area. If staff members are sitting in chairs on the playgrounds, they are not moving around the area as required. Today I advised staff members supervising children three years of age on the playground to ensure they are moving around the whole playground and especially staying close to the climbing structure when children are using it. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding enhanced space requirements. During the July 26, 2022 Routine Unannounced visit, I shared with you that the rule regarding enhanced space may be revised to require additional square footage per child outdoors. As discussed today, Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and Rule .2809 now states there must be “100 square feet outside space for each child using the outdoor learning environment at any one time.” I reviewed new outdoor space capacities with you as follows: -Space #1 (behind Building 2): 45 children at one time -Space #2 (behind kitchen in Building 1): 88 children at one time -Space #3 (behind Rooms 5 and 6 in Building 1): 67 children at one time -Space #4 (outside hallway between Rooms 4 and 5 in Building 1): 13 children at one time As discussed during the Routine Unannounced visit and again today, you may need to ensure you schedule outdoor times for groups of children one year of age separately so as not to exceed the capacity of 13 children in Space #4. Today I urged you to review new capacities with all staff to ensure compliance. You may even wish to create signs you can post on the playgrounds as reminders. Reminders Due to the nature of the violation cited, a follow-up visit may be conducted in the near future. Please be aware repeated violations of this nature may result in Administrative Action against the facility’s license. Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Upcoming Training Announcement- Children’s Environmental Health has set up virtual trainings for child care center operators on the newly readopted child care sanitation rules. The dates for the trainings are September 20, 2023 and September 26, 2023; both scheduled from 9:00 am – 11:30 am. These trainings are identical, so only one will need to be attended. Keep an eye out for an email blast with instructions for joining the training. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TINY TOTS Facility ID: 10000230 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0923-132L Visit Date: 9/18/2023 Number Present: 100 Completed Date: 9/18/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 180 Time In: 08:05 AM Time Out: 11:05 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with child care requirements pertinent to this visit type and to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. This facility currently operates with a Five Star license issued April 27, 2022, earning 7 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards, and 1 Quality Point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 199 children 0-12 years of age and meets enhanced ratios and space. Restrictions were in compliance today. Sawda, LLC, the corporation which owns the facility, was verified as current and active with the Secretary of State’s office September 14, 2023. The last annual compliance visit was conducted December 1, 2022. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 91%. Owner/administrator, S. Williams, and Assistant Directors, L. Gore and C. Johnson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, a facility observation was conducted and staff/child ratios were monitored. In Space #6, fourteen children one year of age were observed eating a breakfast of cheese toast with pears and milk; two staff members were present in this space. Once children had finished breakfast, one of the staff members escorted seven children one year of age to Space #2, which is the classroom she is currently assigned to. Another child came into Space #2 a few minutes later, and this staff member was alone with eight children one year of age for approximately ten minutes until a second staff member entered. Infants were observed in individual feeding routines and play activities in their classroom. Children two through five years of age were observed eating breakfast, engaging in free choice activities in the classrooms, and playing outside on the fenced in playgrounds. The allegations were reviewed with Ms. Williams, Ms. Gore, and Ms. Johnson, and they were given the opportunity to state their perceptions of the allegations. Ms. Williams stated she had been out sick for the previous seven days, Ms. Gore stated she was on vacation the previous two weeks, and Ms. Johnson stated three additional full time staff members were absent several days last week. Ms. Williams stated with staff absences they had struggled to maintain staff/child ratios between 7:30 and 9am, however all ratios were in compliance by 9am each day. Ms. Gore was observed working in classrooms this morning to assist with maintaining ratios, however some staff members were still absent or late and she could not assist each classroom that needed it. Two classroom staff members were also interviewed separately and privately. Allegation One: There are concerns regarding staff/child ratios. During today’s visit, at 8:10am, fourteen children one year of age were observed with two staff members in Space #6. From 8:15-8:25am, one staff member was observed alone with eight children one year of age in Space #2. In addition, staff members assigned to Spaces #2 and 6, which are used to care for children one year of age, both reported that they have occasionally been out of ratio in the mornings recently while waiting on additional staff members to arrive. Ms. Williams and Ms. Gore stated they have not always been able to maintain ratios in each classroom before 9am due to being short staffed. Based on my observations and staff interviews, this allegation is substantiated. Allegation Two: There are concerns regarding safe environment. When I arrived at the facility this morning, the second door leading to the classrooms was observed propped open. Administrative staff members were questioned regarding the facility’s drop-off and pickup procedures. Ms. Williams, Ms. Gore and Ms. Johnson stated that the second door is typically closed and locked, and will only unlock after parents/guardians enter individual codes on a keypad. They also stated, however, that recently they have left the door propped open in the early mornings because some parents don’t have codes yet or codes are only working intermittently, and there is not always someone in the front office to assist parents due to administrative staff having to be in classrooms. It was observed today that the second door was closed before 9am, and administrative staff members stated they typically leave it closed throughout the rest of the day if they have to leave the front office for any reason. Ms. Williams and Ms. Johnson both stated during pickup times if they have to leave the front office they ensure the door is closed so only those with individual pickup codes can enter the classrooms. They also both stated if someone without a code comes into the building, they will have to wait for an office staff member to open the second door before being given access to the classrooms. Ms. Williams further stated staff members know to call the front office if anyone they don’t recognize as an authorized pickup person tries to pick up a child from a classroom. Based on my observations and staff interviews, this allegation is unsubstantiated. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violation was observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. At 8:10am, fourteen children one year of age were observed in Space #6 with two staff members. In addition, from 8:15-8:25am, one staff member was present with eight children one year of age in Space #2. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 A compliance letter including detailed information about how all violations have been corrected must be received by October 2, 2023. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Maintaining staff/child ratios and maximum group sizes is essential to the health and safety of children. As discussed, you must ensure that you can correct potential issues with compliance before they happen, not after. As children are arriving and transitioning between indoor spaces in the mornings, staff must regularly count children (name to face recognition) and administrative staff must ensure enough additional staff members are present to assist with the maintenance of ratios. Today I advised you to try a “cheat sheet” on which you can keep track of where each child goes in the morning. This will allow you to quickly see if/when any of the staff members are getting close to their maximum ratio or group size, so you can assist before they become out of compliance. I also suggested that during times of staff shortage, you schedule some staff members to come in earlier than normal to ensure you have extra staff on site to maintain ratios during drop off times. As discussed, two office staff members may need to be present in the mornings when several teachers are out so one person can assist with maintaining ratios and one person can be assigned the task of keeping track of children as they get dropped off. In the event that enough staff members to maintain ratios cannot be present, you may have to tell parents you cannot open classrooms or are opening classrooms later than normal until you are fully staffed again. I suggested that you share with parents that you are required to maintain ratios at all times, and that if enough staff are not present you would be out of compliance with Child Care Laws if you continued to allow all the children to come in. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was provided today regarding supervision while children are outdoors. As discussed, the definition of adequate supervision includes that staff members must interact with the children while moving about the indoor or outdoor area. If staff members are sitting in chairs on the playgrounds, they are not moving around the area as required. Today I advised staff members supervising children three years of age on the playground to ensure they are moving around the whole playground and especially staying close to the climbing structure when children are using it. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding enhanced space requirements. During the July 26, 2022 Routine Unannounced visit, I shared with you that the rule regarding enhanced space may be revised to require additional square footage per child outdoors. As discussed today, Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and Rule .2809 now states there must be “100 square feet outside space for each child using the outdoor learning environment at any one time.” I reviewed new outdoor space capacities with you as follows: -Space #1 (behind Building 2): 45 children at one time -Space #2 (behind kitchen in Building 1): 88 children at one time -Space #3 (behind Rooms 5 and 6 in Building 1): 67 children at one time -Space #4 (outside hallway between Rooms 4 and 5 in Building 1): 13 children at one time As discussed during the Routine Unannounced visit and again today, you may need to ensure you schedule outdoor times for groups of children one year of age separately so as not to exceed the capacity of 13 children in Space #4. Today I urged you to review new capacities with all staff to ensure compliance. You may even wish to create signs you can post on the playgrounds as reminders. Reminders Due to the nature of the violation cited, a follow-up visit may be conducted in the near future. Please be aware repeated violations of this nature may result in Administrative Action against the facility’s license. Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, you should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. Upcoming Training Announcement- Children’s Environmental Health has set up virtual trainings for child care center operators on the newly readopted child care sanitation rules. The dates for the trainings are September 20, 2023 and September 26, 2023; both scheduled from 9:00 am – 11:30 am. These trainings are identical, so only one will need to be attended. Keep an eye out for an email blast with instructions for joining the training. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times