NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: SWANSBORO UNITED METHODIST CHILDCARE Facility ID: 67001114 Consultant: KIM SHERRY Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0824-385L Visit Date: 9/3/2024 Number Present: 52 Completed Date: 9/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 09:35 AM Time Out: 01:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. The allegation are as follows: There are concerns a teacher uses inappropriate discipline, children are not treated in a nurturing and caring manner, and a teacher’s personal conversation was not developmentally appropriate in the presence of children in care. This facility operates with a new Notice of Compliance since September 8, 2015. The restrictions listed are as follows: daytime care only and children can only be cared for on ground level. The facility ’s capacity is 114, with an age range of zero- to twelve-year-olds. The last annual compliance visit was conducted October 30, 2023. The sanitation inspection was completed August 22 , 2024 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted on June 21, 2024 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine percent as of September 3, 2024. Allison Cowell, administrator assisted with today’s investigation. There were five classrooms operating, fifty-two children present, ranging in age from infants to four-year-olds. Observations and walk through was conducted during the visit. There were three infants present, two were napping and one was being held. The one-year-olds were transitioning from free play to groups time. Two other groups were engaged in free play activities such as looking at books and playing withy puppets, building with legos, connecting magna-tiles, and other activities. The last groups was engaged in a song and dance activity. Investigation: The allegations were reviewed with you and other staff members. Today, recorded video footage was reviewed for August 30, 2024, from approximately 10:00am till 11:45am and today, September 3, sporadically from 9:30am till 12:30pm. Findings- Allegation 1: There are concerns a teacher uses inappropriate discipline. You and other staff all agreed children are appropriately disciplined. You haven’t had any recent issues with staff or any documented disciplinary actions. Staff explained time out is used. Today, observations were conducted. Staff used redirection and timeout. Staff kept children busy and engaged which prevented challenging behaviors. During nap time, one staff member was having difficulty with a child staying on his mat and resting. The center coordinator went into the classroom to support the staff member. She sat down beside the child, began rubbing his back, and he soon fell asleep. Based on the reporters’ information, your information, staff members information, my investigation, and video footage, this allegation is Unsubstantiated. Allegation 2: There is a concern that a staff member is not interacting with children in a nurturing and caring manner. You stated children are cared for in a nurturing and caring manner. You have not had any concerns with staff treating children in an inappropriate manner. There have been some conflicts among staff members but not in front of the children. Today, I observed children being treated in a nurturing and care manner. An infant was being held and the other two were napping. Two of the one-year-olds were crying and a staff member immediately comforted the toddlers. Int the other three classrooms, staff either sat with the children and played or they adequately supervised as children engaged in play activities or in a dancing song activity. Based on the reporters’ information, your information, staff members information, my investigation, and video footage, this allegation is Unsubstantiated. Allegation 3: A teacher’s personal conversation was not developmentally appropriate in the presence of children in care. You recalled one incident approximately 3 months ago, unsure of the specific date, where a staff member brought a concern to your attention. The staff member stated that another staff member discussed an inappropriate adult topic with her during nap time, while children were awake. One day after this incident, the staff member shared with you what the staff member had shared with her. You stated it was uncomfortable topic, but you explained to the staff member it was inappropriate topic to discuss at work plus in front of the children. You explained the staff member would have been terminated if there was a repeat incident. You explained you plan to create a statement related to the topic, review with staff, and them each to sign acknowledging their understanding. You explained you plan to develop a statement related to the topic and review with staff, and have each to sign acknowledging their understanding. Based on the reporters’ information, your information, staff members information, my investigation, and video footage, this allegation is Substantiated. Violation Number Comment Rule 325 Staff did not interact with children in positive ways by helping them feel welcome and comfortable, treating them with respect, listening to what they say, responding to them with acceptance and appreciation, and/or participating in activities with the children. In classroom space #5, one staff member was not respectful and discussed an inappropriate adult topic with another staff member in front of children. .1802 A violation was documented today. You stated on or before September 6, 2024, you will submit a compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violation was corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. Mail or email the information to: Kim Sherry, Child Care Consultant, Kim.Sherry@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. Based on a Substantiated complaint, a follow-up visit will be conducted. In addition, an administrative action may be issued. 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. Technical Assistance: As children develop their language and listening skills, the communication habits of the adults around them can start to have a big influence. Adults should not have inappropriate or sensitive conversations in front of the children as well as at their workplace. Continue to monitor the cameras to ensure staff are remaining professional while at the workplace. Encourage to discuss during upcoming staff meetings. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, reviewed, and emailed to you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. Email me at Kim.Sherry@dhhs.nc.gov or call me at (910) 824-0470 with questions or concerns. 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