A Bright Start Child Care Learning Center Inc.

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: A BRIGHT START CHILD CARE LEARNING CENTER INC. Facility ID: 51000869 Consultant: TAMEKA JOHNSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/28/2026 Number Present: 43 Completed Date: 5/28/2026 Age: From 0 To 9 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 02:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose for today’s unannounced visit was to monitor applicable child care requirements during your annual compliance visit. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by director A. Richardson. Ms. Richardson was providing care in the classroom designated for school age children. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. I was unaccompanied as I completed general walk-through of the indoor and outdoor areas, which consisted of five (5) classrooms, the kitchen, and the outdoor play environment. The children were observed during outdoor play, free choice activities, eating lunch and completing routine care tasks. Today’s meal was observed and in compliance with the Meal Patterns. **Current License Status Currently this center operates with a four -star rated license issued October 20, 2020. ** Annual Inspections: The last sanitation inspection was completed April 13, 2026, and received a ‘Superior’ classification with 10 demerits. The last fire inspection was completed on June 26, 2025. The last documented fire drill was conducted on May18, 2026, the last documented lockdown drill was completed on April 14, 2026, and the last documented playground inspection was completed on May 5, 2026. Prior to today’s visit I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed that the owner of this facility is listed current/active. During today’s visit, a full assessment of Child Care Requirements was conducted. I observed all required postings, attendance logs, and sleep checks. I reviewed a sample of children’s records, staff files and all applicable program records. The following violations were observed, documented and technical assistance regarding maintaining compliance was offered. 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. Aerosol cans of air freshener, bugs spray, glass cleaner was stored in an unlocked utility closet. In classroom designated for two and three year old children Scentsy air freshener was store in the child's cubby accessible to children. .2820(b) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. Plastic bag sleeves on diapers and grocery bags were accessible to children under three years old. .0604(q) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Safe sleep records for the month of April were not available. .0606(g) 1842 Staff members and child care administrators who were counted in meeting the staff/child ratios concurrently performed food preparation or other duties that are not direct child care responsibilities. The administrator was counted in meeting the staff/child ratio while performing food preparation. .0713(a)(8) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. Children shall not be in the kitchen except when participating in a supervised activity. 15A NCAC 18A .2808(e). A child was observed in the kitchen sitting on the floor while the administrator was prepping food. Failure to comply with the Child Care Requirements puts children’s health and safety at risk. As a result of staff/child ratio violation, a return visit will be made within two (2) weeks to ensure that compliance has been maintained. In order to comply with the NC Laws and Rules, a compliance letter must be submitted to me by June 11, 2026. The compliance letter must address each violation, explain how it has been corrected, and how it will be maintained in the future. If the compliance letter is not received by the date listed a return visit will be made to the child care center. Please send this to tameka.b.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov and include the following: Facility name Facility ID number Each item number Prior to today’s visit the 18-month compliance history for this facility is 100%. Technical assistance/ Consultation: During today’s visit, I observed Ms. Richardson in the kitchen with one (1) one year old child preparing lunch for the children in the facility. I stated to Ms. Richardson that children cannot be in the kitchen unless they are doing an activity that is documented on the activity plan. Ms. Richardson stated she wanted to ensure that she maintained ratio and needed to get lunch out for the children. As a reminder, staff members and child care administrators who are counted in meeting the staff/child ratios cannot at the same time perform food preparation or other duties that are not direct child care responsibilities. Please review Child care Rule 10A NCAC 09 0713(a)(8). Children are not permitted in the kitchen or food preparation areas unless participating in a planned and documented cooking activity included in the lesson plan. As a reminder, all products that state keep out of reach of children should not be accessible to children. Aerosol cans need to be locked. Please review Child care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q). During today’s visit we also discussed QRIS Modernization the classroom and instructional quality pathway. School age children will also need to have an approved curriculum for a four- and five-star license but do not have to have a formative assessment. Please continue to visit the DCDEE website for the latest information and updates. If I can be of any assistance, I can be reached at 252-326-1867 or by email tameka.b.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov. You can also contact Licensing Supervisor, Teraesa Leak at 919-971-7765 or by email at Teraesa.Leak@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 0713 · Violation

Name of Operation: A BRIGHT START CHILD CARE LEARNING CENTER INC. Facility ID: 51000869 Consultant: TAMEKA JOHNSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/28/2026 Number Present: 43 Completed Date: 5/28/2026 Age: From 0 To 9 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 02:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose for today’s unannounced visit was to monitor applicable child care requirements during your annual compliance visit. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by director A. Richardson. Ms. Richardson was providing care in the classroom designated for school age children. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. I was unaccompanied as I completed general walk-through of the indoor and outdoor areas, which consisted of five (5) classrooms, the kitchen, and the outdoor play environment. The children were observed during outdoor play, free choice activities, eating lunch and completing routine care tasks. Today’s meal was observed and in compliance with the Meal Patterns. **Current License Status Currently this center operates with a four -star rated license issued October 20, 2020. ** Annual Inspections: The last sanitation inspection was completed April 13, 2026, and received a ‘Superior’ classification with 10 demerits. The last fire inspection was completed on June 26, 2025. The last documented fire drill was conducted on May18, 2026, the last documented lockdown drill was completed on April 14, 2026, and the last documented playground inspection was completed on May 5, 2026. Prior to today’s visit I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed that the owner of this facility is listed current/active. During today’s visit, a full assessment of Child Care Requirements was conducted. I observed all required postings, attendance logs, and sleep checks. I reviewed a sample of children’s records, staff files and all applicable program records. The following violations were observed, documented and technical assistance regarding maintaining compliance was offered. 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. Aerosol cans of air freshener, bugs spray, glass cleaner was stored in an unlocked utility closet. In classroom designated for two and three year old children Scentsy air freshener was store in the child's cubby accessible to children. .2820(b) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. Plastic bag sleeves on diapers and grocery bags were accessible to children under three years old. .0604(q) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Safe sleep records for the month of April were not available. .0606(g) 1842 Staff members and child care administrators who were counted in meeting the staff/child ratios concurrently performed food preparation or other duties that are not direct child care responsibilities. The administrator was counted in meeting the staff/child ratio while performing food preparation. .0713(a)(8) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. Children shall not be in the kitchen except when participating in a supervised activity. 15A NCAC 18A .2808(e). A child was observed in the kitchen sitting on the floor while the administrator was prepping food. Failure to comply with the Child Care Requirements puts children’s health and safety at risk. As a result of staff/child ratio violation, a return visit will be made within two (2) weeks to ensure that compliance has been maintained. In order to comply with the NC Laws and Rules, a compliance letter must be submitted to me by June 11, 2026. The compliance letter must address each violation, explain how it has been corrected, and how it will be maintained in the future. If the compliance letter is not received by the date listed a return visit will be made to the child care center. Please send this to tameka.b.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov and include the following: Facility name Facility ID number Each item number Prior to today’s visit the 18-month compliance history for this facility is 100%. Technical assistance/ Consultation: During today’s visit, I observed Ms. Richardson in the kitchen with one (1) one year old child preparing lunch for the children in the facility. I stated to Ms. Richardson that children cannot be in the kitchen unless they are doing an activity that is documented on the activity plan. Ms. Richardson stated she wanted to ensure that she maintained ratio and needed to get lunch out for the children. As a reminder, staff members and child care administrators who are counted in meeting the staff/child ratios cannot at the same time perform food preparation or other duties that are not direct child care responsibilities. Please review Child care Rule 10A NCAC 09 0713(a)(8). Children are not permitted in the kitchen or food preparation areas unless participating in a planned and documented cooking activity included in the lesson plan. As a reminder, all products that state keep out of reach of children should not be accessible to children. Aerosol cans need to be locked. Please review Child care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q). During today’s visit we also discussed QRIS Modernization the classroom and instructional quality pathway. School age children will also need to have an approved curriculum for a four- and five-star license but do not have to have a formative assessment. Please continue to visit the DCDEE website for the latest information and updates. If I can be of any assistance, I can be reached at 252-326-1867 or by email tameka.b.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov. You can also contact Licensing Supervisor, Teraesa Leak at 919-971-7765 or by email at Teraesa.Leak@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