Apples OF Gold Preschool

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: APPLES OF GOLD PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 23000115 Consultant: TIFFANI SIMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/10/2025 Number Present: 38 Completed Date: 12/10/2025 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 02:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including health and safety. You, Misty Warlick, Owner/Administrator, assisted me with the visit today. The facility currently operates with a 5-star rated license issued on June 19, 2019, earning six (6) points in staff education, six (6) points in the program standards, and one (1) quality point. The program's license restrictions include the following: daytime care, enhanced ratios, and enhanced space. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on December 17, 2024. The most recent sanitation inspection for your facility was conducted on May 2, 2025. A superior sanitation classification was issued with two (2) demerits noted on the grade card. The most recent approved fire inspection for your facility was conducted on February 10, 2025, for daytime care only. The most recent monthly fire drill was conducted on November 14, 2025, at 9:37am. The most recent quarterly lockdown and shelter-in-place drill was conducted on November 20, 2025, at 4:46pm. The facilities EPR Plan was reviewed on February 12, 2025. The most recent monthly playground inspection was completed on December 9, 2025, by Misty Warlick. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine percent (99%) as of December 8, 2025. The Secretary of State website was checked on December 8, 2025, and your business Apples of Gold South, Inc., is active and in good standing. If any changes to the corporation need to be made or you decide to sell your business, then you must notify me, Tiffani Sims, at least thirty days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location, or inherited. I visited each indoor and outdoor space. A walk-through of the facility was completed today; all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to be in compliance. Children throughout the facility were participating in indoor free play activities, outdoor gross motor play, art activities, story time, handwashing routines, bathroom routines, lunch, and nap. The caregivers were interacting and meeting the developmental needs for each of the children. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. The analysis date for the most recent lead water test was March 27, 2024. Lead water testing must be completed every three years. You may review your facilities results by visiting https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina. On December 8, 2025, The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ team determined that APPLES OF GOLD PRESCHOOL required an on-site visit to fulfill North Carolina rule requirements. An accredited asbestos professional did not identify asbestos hazards at the facility. There is no requirement to restrict access to or mitigate asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition per 10A NCAC 41C .1003. On October 10, 2025, The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ team determined that APPLES OF GOLD PRESCHOOL required an on-site visit to fulfill North Carolina rule requirements. A certified lead risk assessor did identify lead-based paint hazards at the facility. The facility is required to restrict access to or mitigate the lead-based paint hazards using the recommended response actions provided below per 10A NCAC 41C.1004. You provided me with applicable program, staff, and children’s records for review. Files for two (2) new staff, one (1) existing staff, and applicable records for all staff were reviewed. All staff were listed on the ABCMS Provider Portal roster for this facility. A sample of five (5) children’s records were reviewed. The violation observed today was discussed with you and documented in the Visit Summary left with you at the conclusion of this visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 852 Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. In Space #4, one child one year of age enrolled on June 2, 2025, had missing information that was not documented on September 5, 2025, incident report. The missing information included the medical treatment received, witness to the incident, and steps to prevent reoccurrence. In Space #4, one child two year of ages enrolled on June 2, 2025, had missing information that was not documented on September 19, 2025, incident report. The missing information included the medical treatment received, witness to the incident, and steps to prevent reoccurrence. .0802 (e) Comments: 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-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before (date), 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. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Tiffani Sims Child Care Consultant PO Box 185 Glen Alpine, NC 28626 tiffani.sims@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 was provided on the following -Required Documentation on Incident Reports: We discussed the information required by rule for incident reports and suggested that you review incident report requirements with all staff. I suggested that you review all incident reports once received to ensure all required information is obtained. This will allow you to gather any missing information from staff to be recorded prior to filing. Child care rule .0802(e) states the child care provider shall complete an incident report each time a child is injured as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care. This incident report shall include: (1) facility identifying information; (2) the child's name; (3) date and time of the incident; (4) witness to the incident; (5) time the parent is notified of the incident and by whom; (6) piece of equipment involved, if applicable; (7) cause of injury, if applicable; (8) type of injury, if applicable; (9) body part injured, if applicable; (10) where the child received medical treatment, if applicable; (11) description of how and where the incident occurred, and the First Aid received; and (12) steps taken to prevent reoccurrence. This report shall be signed by the person completing it and by the parent, a copy given to the parent or a parent signature declining a copy and the report maintained in the child's file. A copy of the form may be found on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/pdf_forms/DCDEE-0058.pdf. Consultation: The ABCMS provider portal facility roster should be updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401. We reviewed Pathway #1, and #2, application for assessment for a rated license for centers, Family and Community Engagement Foundational Practices, Continuous Quality Improvement, approved curriculum, formative assessment tools, classroom self-study, education requirements, and staff to child ratio options. I encouraged you to review this information more thoroughly by visiting https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. -I suggested that you review Environment Rating Scale information and resources at www.ncrlap.org for the following assessments: ITERS-3, ECERS-3 -Reach out to your local Resource and Referral Agency for additional technical assistance and support. The contact information for Child Care Connections of Cleveland County is (704) 751-1046. -You stated that at this time you have not made a decision on which Pathway you have chosen for your upcoming rated license reassessment. I asked that you let me know which Pathway you would like to follow by January 16, 2026. Stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting https://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. I encourage you to click on the "What's New" tab for important updates impacting child care in North Carolina. Thank you for your time and assistance today. If you have any questions about today’s visit, please contact me or my supervisor, Tammy McGalliard Tammy.McGalliard@dhhs.nc.gov . If I can be of further assistance , you may contact me at tiffani.sims@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 .0302 · Violation

Name of Operation: APPLES OF GOLD PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 23000115 Consultant: TIFFANI SIMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/28/2024 Number Present: 31 Completed Date: 8/28/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 100 Time In: 12:40 PM Time Out: 02:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose today’s routine unannounced visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements, including health and safety for a routine unannounced visit. You, Misty Warlick, Owner/Administrator, assisted me with the visit today. The Secretary of State website was checked on August 27, 2024, and your business Apples of Gold South, Inc., is active and in good standing. If any changes to the corporation need to be made or you decide to sell your business, then you must notify me, Tiffani Sims, at least thirty days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location, or inherited. The facility currently operates with a 5-star rated license issued on June 19, 2019, earning six (6) points in staff education, six (6) points in the program standards, and one (1) quality point. The program's license restrictions include the following: daytime care, enhanced ratios, and enhanced space. During today’s visit, the children were observed during naptime. Inspections/Drills: The most recent sanitation inspection for your facility was conducted on June 11, 2024. A superior sanitation classification was issued with zero (0) demerits noted on the grade card. The next sanitation inspection is due by June 30, 2025. The last fire inspection was completed on February 26, 2024. The next fire inspection is due by February 26, 2025. The most recent fire drill was conducted on July 26, 2024, at 10:39am and recorded. The most recent shelter in place emergency drill was conducted on June 24, 2024, at 2:45pm and recorded. The most recent playground safety inspection was conducted on July 26, 2024. You stated no new staff has been hired since your most recent annual compliance visit. Limited monitoring of staff files was conducted for the purpose of reviewing training regarding CPR/First Aid, EPR, Playground Safety, ITS-SIDS, Special Training including Health and Safety Training and Criminal Background Checks. The following violation of child care requirements was observed and documented during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. In Space #3 on August 2, 2024, one child’s departure time was not documented and on August 8, 2024, one child’s departure time was not documented. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) -Arrival/Departure Times As a reminder, daily sign-in and sign-out times must be recorded when children arrive and depart the child care facility each day. I suggested creating a system and review with staff of the procedures of recording arrival and departure times. I also suggested as part of the classroom mid-day and closing procedures that staff check the arrival and departure sheets to ensure accurate records are documented. Compliance Letter Documentation: The violations documented above must be corrected immediately. Send me a letter of compliance describing in detail specifically how each violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. Include the violation item number, statement of compliance, date of the visit and license ID number in the letter. I must receive your compliance letter by September 11, 2024. Please send your compliance letter to Tiffani Sims PO Box 185 Glen Alpine, NC 28628 Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. The Division of Child Development may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Compliance History: You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required. Prior to today’s visit your compliance history was ninety-five (95%). Please note any violations cited during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to a recommended administrative action. Consultation: RaiseNC Toolkit and Other Resources: Raise your voice to Raise NC is a good resource for you and your staff to explore and download the full suite of easy-to-use educational and promotional materials, including flyers, social media posts, graphics, talking points and more. Whether you’re an organization or an individual, these materials are free and available on the website RaiseNC.nc.gov. The link is https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/raise-nc/toolkit. -Resuming Star Rated License Reassessment Information Hold harmless has been extended until the new QRIS system is implemented. Programs still have the option to choose to voluntarily complete the star rated license reassessment if they so desire. -Natural Learning Initiative: The Green Desk (Resource) For natural learning environment resources, consider using The Green Desk that is provided by the Natural Learning Initiative. The Green Desk contains numerous resources meant to improve outdoor learning environments and promote health, natural child development, physical activity, and nature-based learning. To access this page, Go to www.naturalearning.org, hover on the link for ‘resources’, click on the link for ‘The Green Desk’. -Child Care Rule Effective January 1, 2024 Lead Testing: I discussed with you the results of the lead testing from the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Your facility’s lead water testing was last completed and reported on March 27, 2024. Your facility has no result listed as completing the lead-paint and asbestos testing Child Care Rule .0601(f)- Safe Environments Rule Amendment- This rule was amended to include the specific requirements that child care centers must be free of asbestos hazards. This is in addition to the existing requirement that they be free of lead poisoning hazards. In addition to the updates to this rule, 10A NCAC 41C .1001 through .1007 and 15A NCAC 18A .2816 require all child care facilities (homes and centers) to test for lead in drinking, water, identify lead-based paint hazard, and mitigate or restrict access to identified hazards. The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program is designed to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure, while providing child care facilities with the support needed to meet all rule requirements. The program is free, and the first step is to watch one of the pre-enrollment webinars, which are available at www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar -On-going Trainings: Please visit Moodle on the DCDEE website to obtain necessary on-going training hours as required annually. Another website for staff to earn on-going training hours is from the NC Rated License Assessment Project. Their website is www.ncrlap.org. -How to Access Health and Safety Training on DCDEE Moodle I have provided information and on how to access CCDF Health and Safety in Child Care or Medication in Child Care trainings on Moodle: 1.If you can log into Moodle with your MyNCID but need support with completing CCDF Health and Safety in Child Care or Medication in Child Care training, use this contact form: healthychildcare.unc.edu/contact-us-form If you cannot log into Moodle, try visiting https://myncid.nc.gov/ for technical support unlocking or resetting your NCID password. 2. If you still cannot access Moodle, one alternative to completing the CCDF Health and Safety in Child Care Trainings or Medication in Child Care training on Moodle is to contact a primary Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) for training options: healthychildcare.unc.edu/find-a-cchc. However, while CCHCs have the ability to provide CCDF trainings equivalent to what is available in Moodle, their capacity is dependent on their current working priorities. -Challenging Behaviors Helpline by Healthy Social Behavior Project The Healthy Social Behavior Project is offering technical assistance with challenging behaviors to programs. Please see the link below for more information. I shared the following information with you on the Challenging Behaviors Helpline. Website Link: https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/challenging-behaviors-helpline To speak to a Healthy Social Behavior Specialist, please contact the helpline at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1. -Moodle Support: The Division offers early childhood professionals a wide range of professional development opportunities through our online learning platform Moodle. As we continue expanding our training offerings, DCDEE has established a new email address and phone number for Moodle support. To get help with Moodle, email at DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. DCDEE Updates: What’s New Tab Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest COVID-19 information for child care at https://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. I encourage you to click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting childcare in North Carolina. If I can be of assistance in the future, or if you have any questions about this visit, please feel free to contact me at Tiffani Sims; PO Box 185, Glen Alpine, NC 28628; (828) 417-1648; tiffani.sims@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor Tammy McGalliard at tammy.mcgalliard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of North Carolina. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: APPLES OF GOLD PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 23000115 Consultant: TIFFANI SIMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/31/2023 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 7/31/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 202 Time In: 09:23 AM Time Out: 12:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit, including health and safety requirements. Upon arrival, the purpose of today’s visit was reviewed with you, Misty Warlick, Owner/Administrator. You, Misty Warlick, Owner/Administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license effective June 19, 2019. The permit restrictions were in compliance including daytime care, meets enhanced ratios, and meets enhanced space. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on July 28, 2023, and Apples of Gold South, Inc. was listed as current/active. You reported no changes to the ownership of the facility. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. You conducted the walkthrough of the facility with me. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to in compliance. The center's compliance history prior to today’s visit was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-five percent (95%) as of July 28, 2023. 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-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. Files for one new staff were reviewed. Limited monitoring of staff files was conducted for the purpose of reviewing training regarding CPR/First Aid, EPR, Playground Safety, ITS-SIDS, Special Training including Health and Safety Training and Criminal Background Checks. The most recent sanitation inspection for your facility was conducted on March 29, 2023. A Superior sanitation classification was issued with four (4) demerits. The most recent fire inspection for your facility was conducted on February 23, 2023. The most recent playground inspection was conducted on June 23, 2023. The most recent fire drill was conducted on July 26, 2023, at 9:23am. The most recent shelter in place emergency drill was conducted on June 23, 2023, at 3:00pm. The following violation(s) were observed today: 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. Four aerosol spray cans of Great Value Canola Oil Non-Stick Cooking Spray with written warnings were located in an unlocked storage cabinet in the kitchen next to the stove. .2820(b) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. One staff member employed on March 13, 2023, had a medical report on file dated August 26, 2014. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. One staff member employed on March 13, 2023, had a TB test on file dated July 17, 2015. .0701(a) Compliance Letter: You must correct the violations found during today's visit immediately. Please send me a letter verifying compliance by August 14, 2023. Please include in that letter each violation number and explain in detail how you corrected each violation and what plan will be implemented to prevent these violations from occurring again. Please sign the letter, include your facility name, ID number, visit date and mail the letter to my mailing address below or email the letter to me at tiffani.sims@dhhs.nc.gov Tiffani Sims PO Box 185 Glen Alpine, NC 28628 Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above will result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Technical assistance on violations was reviewed with you. Areas discussed included: Hazardous Materials We discussed hazardous items with written warnings, such as cooking spray, must be kept in locked storage with either a key, combination, or magnetic lock. Staff Medical Report and TB Test Screenings: We discussed staff medical reports and tb test screenings for new staff cannot be older than twelve months. Consultation or other topics discussed today: -Early Childhood Equivalency Exam The North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam is a new pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential. Applicants who achieve a score of 80% or higher on the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam earn the new North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom. or more information, visit the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New/north-carolina-early-childhood-equivalency-exam-now-available. -On-going Trainings: Please visit Moodle on the DCDEE website to obtain necessary on-going training hours as required annually. -Health and Safety Trainings We discussed due dates of when staff need to complete the required Health/Safety trainings. -Challenging Behaviors Helpline by Healthy Social Behavior Project The Healthy Social Behavior Project is offering technical assistance with challenging behaviors to programs. Please see the link below for more information. Website Link: https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/challenging-behaviors-helpline To speak to a Healthy Social Behavior Specialist, please contact the helpline at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1. -Moodle Support: The Division offers early childhood professionals a wide range of professional development opportunities through our online learning platform Moodle. As we continue expanding our training offerings, DCDEE has established a new email address and phone number for Moodle support. To get help with Moodle, email at DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. Criminal Background Check Legislative Changes: The 2022-2023 Appropriations Bill (HB 103) signed by Governor Cooper on July 11, 2022, made two important changes to North Carolina General Statute 110-90-2 regarding child care Criminal Background Checks. 1. The period for background check qualification renewals was revised from three years to five years. 2. The provisional qualification period was reduced to forty-five days. DCDEE Updates: What’s New Tab Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest COVID-19 information for child care at https://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. I encourage you to click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting childcare in North Carolina. If I can be of assistance in the future, or if you have any questions about this visit, please feel free to contact me at Tiffani Sims; PO Box 185, Glen Alpine, NC 28628; (828) 417-1648; tiffani.sims@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor Tammy McGalliard at tammy.mcgalliard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of North Carolina. 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: APPLES OF GOLD PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 23000115 Consultant: TIFFANI SIMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/31/2023 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 7/31/2023 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 202 Time In: 09:23 AM Time Out: 12:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit, including health and safety requirements. Upon arrival, the purpose of today’s visit was reviewed with you, Misty Warlick, Owner/Administrator. You, Misty Warlick, Owner/Administrator assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license effective June 19, 2019. The permit restrictions were in compliance including daytime care, meets enhanced ratios, and meets enhanced space. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on July 28, 2023, and Apples of Gold South, Inc. was listed as current/active. You reported no changes to the ownership of the facility. A walk-through of the facility was completed today, all indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. You conducted the walkthrough of the facility with me. I observed children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments and found supervision and staff/child ratios to in compliance. The center's compliance history prior to today’s visit was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-five percent (95%) as of July 28, 2023. 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-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. Files for one new staff were reviewed. Limited monitoring of staff files was conducted for the purpose of reviewing training regarding CPR/First Aid, EPR, Playground Safety, ITS-SIDS, Special Training including Health and Safety Training and Criminal Background Checks. The most recent sanitation inspection for your facility was conducted on March 29, 2023. A Superior sanitation classification was issued with four (4) demerits. The most recent fire inspection for your facility was conducted on February 23, 2023. The most recent playground inspection was conducted on June 23, 2023. The most recent fire drill was conducted on July 26, 2023, at 9:23am. The most recent shelter in place emergency drill was conducted on June 23, 2023, at 3:00pm. The following violation(s) were observed today: 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. Four aerosol spray cans of Great Value Canola Oil Non-Stick Cooking Spray with written warnings were located in an unlocked storage cabinet in the kitchen next to the stove. .2820(b) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. One staff member employed on March 13, 2023, had a medical report on file dated August 26, 2014. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. One staff member employed on March 13, 2023, had a TB test on file dated July 17, 2015. .0701(a) Compliance Letter: You must correct the violations found during today's visit immediately. Please send me a letter verifying compliance by August 14, 2023. Please include in that letter each violation number and explain in detail how you corrected each violation and what plan will be implemented to prevent these violations from occurring again. Please sign the letter, include your facility name, ID number, visit date and mail the letter to my mailing address below or email the letter to me at tiffani.sims@dhhs.nc.gov Tiffani Sims PO Box 185 Glen Alpine, NC 28628 Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above will result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Technical assistance on violations was reviewed with you. Areas discussed included: Hazardous Materials We discussed hazardous items with written warnings, such as cooking spray, must be kept in locked storage with either a key, combination, or magnetic lock. Staff Medical Report and TB Test Screenings: We discussed staff medical reports and tb test screenings for new staff cannot be older than twelve months. Consultation or other topics discussed today: -Early Childhood Equivalency Exam The North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam is a new pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential. Applicants who achieve a score of 80% or higher on the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam earn the new North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom. or more information, visit the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New/north-carolina-early-childhood-equivalency-exam-now-available. -On-going Trainings: Please visit Moodle on the DCDEE website to obtain necessary on-going training hours as required annually. -Health and Safety Trainings We discussed due dates of when staff need to complete the required Health/Safety trainings. -Challenging Behaviors Helpline by Healthy Social Behavior Project The Healthy Social Behavior Project is offering technical assistance with challenging behaviors to programs. Please see the link below for more information. Website Link: https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/challenging-behaviors-helpline To speak to a Healthy Social Behavior Specialist, please contact the helpline at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1. -Moodle Support: The Division offers early childhood professionals a wide range of professional development opportunities through our online learning platform Moodle. As we continue expanding our training offerings, DCDEE has established a new email address and phone number for Moodle support. To get help with Moodle, email at DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. Criminal Background Check Legislative Changes: The 2022-2023 Appropriations Bill (HB 103) signed by Governor Cooper on July 11, 2022, made two important changes to North Carolina General Statute 110-90-2 regarding child care Criminal Background Checks. 1. The period for background check qualification renewals was revised from three years to five years. 2. The provisional qualification period was reduced to forty-five days. DCDEE Updates: What’s New Tab Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest COVID-19 information for child care at https://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. I encourage you to click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting childcare in North Carolina. If I can be of assistance in the future, or if you have any questions about this visit, please feel free to contact me at Tiffani Sims; PO Box 185, Glen Alpine, NC 28628; (828) 417-1648; tiffani.sims@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor Tammy McGalliard at tammy.mcgalliard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of North Carolina. 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