G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Tots R Us Childcare II Facility ID: 31000283 Consultant: CARLA HANCHEY-EDWARDS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/30/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 4/30/2025 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 85 Time In: 10:55 AM Time Out: 12:20 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 compliance during your annual compliance visit. A checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. Today Ms. S. Graham/Owner stated the administrator T. Hayes was there earlier and had a doctor’s appointment and had to leave. This program currently operates with a three-star license issued November 17, 2024. Please be reminded to have all the staff’s education sent to WORKS to be evaluated. The hold harmless has been extended until further notice. I monitored the indoor and outdoor environments for compliance with childcare requirements. Staff/child ratios, supervision, use of space and capacity were monitored for compliance. The permit, sanitation, evacuation, safe arrival, and departure procedures, first aid chart, menus, activity plans, daily schedules, emergency care plan, emergency telephone numbers, staff records, and summary of NC Child Care Law, were posted at the time of the visit. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. Prior to the visit I received your staff and training worksheets. Your signature on these forms will serve as verification that the information provided is accurate. A random selection of children’s files and staff files were reviewed, and the children’s record worksheet was completed. Upon arrival the toddlers were observed playing with toys. The preschool children were playing in activity areas in their classroom. The theme in the lesson plans was Spring. The lunch menu for today consisted of sliced hot dogs, wheat bread, pineapple, baked French fries, and milk. Your last fire drill and monthly playground inspections were dated 4/1/25. Your last EPR drill was a lockdown drill completed 3/1/25. I reminded you an EPR drill must be completed every three months and to keep all documentation on file for review. Your last fire inspection was dated 4/29/25 and today you provided me with a copy. Your last sanitation inspection was completed 11/13/24 with an approved rating. Please contact Environmental Health and your local fire inspector within 30 days of the due date to request an inspection to be completed. Once your inspections have been completed, mail or email them to me. I recommend that you place your due dates on a calendar or spreadsheet to help you maintain compliance. The 2016 Honda Odyssey minivan used to transport children registration expires 7/31/25 and the insurance expires 9/26/25. Today I reviewed the information you should have when transporting any child care children. The following violation was documented and corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 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). One staff member's qualifying letter expired 3/6/25. A new qualifying was on file with a date of 4/1/25. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) Childcare licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy childcare environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the childcare law and rules. Technical assistance regarding the following items were reviewed with you today. During the visit I reminded Ms. S. Graham in space #2 she was only allowed up to 12 children due to your license space capacity of the classroom. I reviewed that in space#2 you can have up to ten children with one person because you meet the minimum staff/child ratio requirements. I reminded you if you have more than ten children in the group and you have a two-year-old present you will need two staff members present to meet the minimum requirements for staff/child ratios. Please be reminded you always go by the ratios of the youngest child present in the group. You stated you were going to have a staff member return that left in January 2025, and I stated she would need to complete a new application just as a new employee. I reviewed with you information about your criminal background checks, and they must be completed prior to the expiration date on your qualifying letter. The new qualifying letters will expire in five years. A violation was documented and corrected by one staff member and corrected during the visit. All flexibilities expired, except for the flexibilities related to the star rated license. I reminded you that the health and safety training courses have been relocated from Pro-Solutions to Moodle on the DCDEE website and they are free of charge. I discussed various other training resources, including those online and in-person. Remember continuing professional development training provides you and your staff with the knowledge and skills needed to provide a quality child care program. Please be reminded the health and safety training courses are required to be completed every five years. CBC Provider Portal Technical Assistance & Notification to the Division of New Hires or Residents Technical Assistance Guidance As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in 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. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids is a program designed to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in buildings. By May 31, 2025 all facilities must enroll for lead in paint, and water, and asbestos at www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/carolina. Additional information and sign up is available on the website www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/carolina. Additional information and resources for Pathways to the Stars regarding the proposed QRIS rules are available at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization . For the most up to date information, copies of sample forms, and copies of the child care requirements, you were encouraged to periodically visit the Division's website and click on the What’s New tab at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov Please contact me at 910-824-0500 or email at carla.hanchey-edwards@dhhs.nc.gov if I may be of assistance. 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 .0606 · Violation

Name of Operation: Tots R Us Childcare II Facility ID: 31000283 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/10/2024 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/10/2024 Age: From 0 To 3 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 01:00 PM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced visit today was to monitor your center for meeting applicable child care requirements during your Temporary License period. This is the third temporary time period visit for this facility. This facility is currently operating on a Temporary License effective from May 16, 2024 to November 16, 2024. Carla Hanchey-Edwards, Child Care Consultant assisted with today’s visit. T. Hayes, Administrator was not present during the visit. She was reached by phone and stated she would not be able to assist with today’s visit. The owner representative was present and observed as the caregiver in Space #1. During the visit another staff member returned to the center, and the remainder of the visit was conducted with the owner representative. Two classrooms are operating with 13 children enrolled and 9 children present. During today’s visit the following items were monitored for compliance: supervision, ratios, CPR/FA training, Criminal Background Checks, storage of hazardous substances, and medications, use of approved/adequate space, license and permit restrictions. No new staff have been hired since the last monitoring visit. The most recent fire drill was conducted on October 1, 2024 at 9:00am. The log reflected it took one minute to evacuate 10 children and 3 staff. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on August 1, 2024 at 9:20am. The last outdoor inspection was completed on October 1, 2024. The children were observed napping during the visit. The infants in care were observed napping and sitting in a swing. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A daily schedule was not available for the group In Space #1. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #1 and #2 were not current. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Staff reported children in space two participated in sand and water every other week rather than weekly. .0510(c)(3) 612 Each child's bed, cot, or 2" mat was not individually assigned and identified. One crib in Space #1 was not labeled with the child’s name. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(b) & (c) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. The safe sleep policy was not followed. An infant was observed sleeping with a bib fastened around her neck, and with a pacifier attached with a string to the bib. A pair of socks were also present in the crib with the sleeping infant. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) 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. Documentation of checking on sleeping infants had not been recorded for one of the two infants observed napping today. .0606(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than October 24, 2024. The compliance letter should be sent to me via email, from the email address on file with the Division as the center’s official email address. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. An extension will need to be requested from management. Child care licensing requirements were established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in childcare. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. We discussed that you are keeping the front doors locked, and that you had to leave the group in Space #1 to open the door to allow us to enter. We also discussed that no one was present to provide you with milk bottles for the infants from the kitchen, to receive the school-age children, or to prepare the afternoon snack. You stated all children ate before a staff member left at approximately 1pm, therefore you did not anticipate needing a bottle until the administrator arrived. You also stated you anticipated that the administrator would be present when snack was prepared. We discussed that the staff member in Space #2 could open the door and remain in the facility while watching the school-age children get off the bus and enter the facility. Or the Administrator would be present in time to receive the school age children. I reminded you that staff cannot leave children unsupervised to answer the door, or to deal with administrative tasks during the day. I also reminded you that school age children cannot exit the bus and enter the facility unsupervised. A staff member must retrieve them from the bus and escort them inside the building. Each group must have at least one staff member physically in the room at all times. I encouraged you to rethink the procedures regarding how to open the door when only two staff are present, or have visitors use one of the classroom doors to enter the facility. Several of the violations documented today were related to safe sleep requirements. Violations regarding sleep documentation were also documented during the second temporary time period visit. I encouraged you to review the center’s safe sleep policy with all staff, and that you refresh your training in ITS-SIDS. I also encouraged you to have the administrator monitor that the safe sleep policy is being followed at various times of the day. We also discussed the on-site hour requirement for Administrators and administrative tasks today. I reminded you that, based on your capacity, the named administrator is required to be on-site for a minimum of 20 hours per week. These hours are when the Administrator is not counted in staff child ratio but is conducting administrative tasks. Administrative tasks include talking with parents and prospective parents, doing enrollment activities, supervising and evaluating staff and the program, and monitoring to ensure paperwork is complete and accurate. We discussed that the administrator has not been present for any of the three temporary time period visits. She also was unable to assist with the visit today. You stated she typically works from 3:30 until the center closes. We discussed that many of the administrative tasks are needed to be completed during the business day. During today’s visit I observed that you had added an additional fenced in area, and that you had extended the space in the existing area. The outdoor play areas were measured, and the outdoor space plan was updated. We discussed that the far back fenced area is now being used as a parking area. This area will be removed from the approved outdoor play area. The two smaller fenced areas are approved. Playground #1 is to be used by infants and children one year of age. The space will allow for eight children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. Space #2 will be used by children from two years of age to school age. The space will allow for fourteen children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. We questioned whether one piece of equipment present on Playground #2 could be moved by one person or if it would need a fall zone. You demonstrated today that you were able to move the structure with no assistance. I, however, encouraged you to provide a fall zone with appropriate surfacing for this piece of equipment. We observed that you currently have mulch under the structure. We also discussed the shade on the playgrounds. Currently the building and some vegetation from the neighboring lot is providing shade. You stated you were getting an outdoor play area grant from the local Partnership for Children that included a shade structure. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that infants must sleep in a safe environment. We discussed that infants must sleep in a crib of playpen. They cannot sleep in bouncers or sitting devices, even with the parent permission. A doctor’s order would be needed for them to sleep anywhere other than a crib or playpen. The infants must be placed on their backs to sleep when first placed in the crib. If they can roll over, they are not required to be repositioned. If they are placed any way other than on their backs, a waiver must be available. The safe sleep logs must be completed as the children are laid down and should reflect that the child was placed in the crib on their back. If they immediately roll over, the form should be noted that the child was placed on their back and immediately rolled. The first notation on the safe sleep forms would be when the child is laid down, and should always be marked “back”, unless a waiver is on file. The second notation would be the first check. We also discussed that infants cannot sleep with anything in the cribs with them. They may not sleep with bibs around their necks, and they may not sleep with pacifiers attached to their clothing. You must have a way to monitor the temperature in the infant room to ensure it does not exceed 75 degrees. All food substitutions must be recorded on the menu before they are served. You stated today that you planned to substitute cheese and crackers with juice for the snack today. I reminded you that you must change the menu before the snack is served. The requirements for daily schedules and activity plans were also reviewed today. All children, including infants, must go outdoors daily, when weather permits. The daily schedule must accurately reflect the planning of the day. For children under two years old, interspersed among the daily events shall be individualized caregiving routines such as eating, napping, and toileting. When children under three years old are in care, the schedule shall include regular daily events such as the arrival and departure of the children, free-choice times, outside time, and teacher-directed activities. We discussed that activity plans should be planned weekly. I encouraged you to seek additional technical assistance from your local Partnership for Children or Child Care Resource and Referral agency with planning schedules and activity plans. The requirements for supervision were also discussed. Adequate supervision is defined as the staff moving about the indoor and outdoor areas while interacting with the children. Therefore, adult chairs should not be on the outdoor play areas. The time of arrival and departure requirements were also discussed. I reminded you that should children leave and return, the time they leave and the time they return should be clearly documented on the time of arrival and departure forms. I provided an example where if children must be evacuated, and three children with arrival times had left the facility to attend public school for the day, with no documentation provided, emergency personnel would be looking for three children who were not actually at the facility. Various ways to document this were discussed. RATED LICENSE: You submitted an application for a rated license assessment which was September 10, 2024. I referenced an email sent to you on September 10, 2024 notifying you of the status of the education information on file for each staff member. We discussed that two staff members have not been updated in the WORKS system. I notified you that due to processing timelines, all education must be submitted and evaluated by October 24, 2024. After this time, the information on file for each staff member will be used. Program Standards: You indicated on the application that you wanted to meet enhanced standards, including enhanced staff/child ratio requirements. The ratios were reviewed today. Following that review you stated you did not wish to meet the enhanced staff/child ratio standards. Therefore, the application was updated. You are not interested in meeting enhanced space or staff child ratio requirements or in having an environment rating scale assessment conducted at this time. The violations must be corrected in order for the center to meet applicable NC Child Care Requirements. Then the center will earn one point in this component. Staff Education: We discussed that the current Administrator is not listed in the WORKS system. Therefore, the center would be at one point in Staff Education with information currently on file. Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. With only three school age children enrolled, it is not considered a school age component. However, should you enroll additional school age children a Program Coordinator and Group Leader may need to be evaluated. I notified you that I would contact you via phone on October 25 to determine the number of points to be earned in this component. Quality Point: You indicated on the application that the center met this point by reducing the group size by at least one per age group from the seven point level. The center will earn the quality point. I will contact you by phone on October 25, 2024 to determine the total number of points and the Star Rating to be earned. We discussed that failure to earn a Three Star License may limit your participation in the Subsidized Child Care Program. 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. Prior to today’s visit this facility’s score was 97%. ANNUAL COMPLIANCE VISIT: Your center will be due for an annual compliance visit prior to May 16, 2025. Additional visits may be conducted by the Child Care Consultant prior to that date. I encouraged you to keep an up to date staff and training worksheet available for any monitoring visit that may be conducted. You will need to submit this document to your consultant in preparation for your annual compliance visit. You will need to have an annual fire inspection by April 26, 2025. It is your responsibility to contact the local fire inspector to request this inspection. An annual sanitation inspection will be due by June 10, 2025, however more frequent visits may be conducted. The sanitation and fire inspections must be submitted to your consultant within 7 days. I also reminded you that the water must be tested for lead every three years. ON-GOING TRAINING: Training hours will be monitored for compliance during your annual compliance visit. Training hours are required to be recorded on the on-going training log with certificates attached to the log for verification. HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING: All staff must complete Health & Safety training topics within one year of hire. CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment are due within the first 90 days of hire. After initial completion all topic areas must be completed every five years. A training log is available on the DCDEE website. This training information will be reviewed by a DCDEE consultant during a monitoring visit. Annually you must review the EPR plan online and print the review form for your records. You must review the EPR plan and the EMC plan with all staff on an annual basis. I recommend doing this at the same time everyone completes an annual health questionnaire and emergency information. This would also be a good time to do annual staff evaluations and staff development plans. Annual Licensing Fee: Pursuant to GS 110-90(1a) the Division establishes an annual fee for licensed child care facilities. The invoices for the fees are assessed based on your licensed capacity and mailed after the 1st of November every year. You will only receive one invoice and payment is due in FULL within 30 days. Please closely monitor your mail and be on the lookout for your invoice. Please don’t delay making your payment and be aware that Payment Plans are NOT available. In addition, please be aware that failure to pay a license fee within 30 days of receipt will result in late charges. If payments are made late and late charges are applied, the fee as well as the late charge must be resolved. Please be reminded that, failure to pay a license fee could also result in the facility's child care license being revoked. GENERAL INFORMATION: If you have any changes to your phone number, email or mailing address, please update me so I can make changes in our computer system. This information is what DCDEE uses on the Search for Childcare site, it is also the only way DCDEE communities with you. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. I encourage you to review DCDEE training modules, and to check your email for any additional information or updates. You will need to have an NCID which is the same NCID that you use for Health and Safety training, WORKS login, and the CBC Portal- to view Moodle training. For the most up to date information, copies of sample forms, and copies of the child care requirements, updates to rules/laws you were encouraged to periodically visit the Division's website and click on the What’s New tab at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Once you have been issued your star rated license, your file will be transferred to your assigned childcare consultant. I will email you with their contact information when this occurs. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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.

GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Tots R Us Childcare II Facility ID: 31000283 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/10/2024 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/10/2024 Age: From 0 To 3 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 01:00 PM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced visit today was to monitor your center for meeting applicable child care requirements during your Temporary License period. This is the third temporary time period visit for this facility. This facility is currently operating on a Temporary License effective from May 16, 2024 to November 16, 2024. Carla Hanchey-Edwards, Child Care Consultant assisted with today’s visit. T. Hayes, Administrator was not present during the visit. She was reached by phone and stated she would not be able to assist with today’s visit. The owner representative was present and observed as the caregiver in Space #1. During the visit another staff member returned to the center, and the remainder of the visit was conducted with the owner representative. Two classrooms are operating with 13 children enrolled and 9 children present. During today’s visit the following items were monitored for compliance: supervision, ratios, CPR/FA training, Criminal Background Checks, storage of hazardous substances, and medications, use of approved/adequate space, license and permit restrictions. No new staff have been hired since the last monitoring visit. The most recent fire drill was conducted on October 1, 2024 at 9:00am. The log reflected it took one minute to evacuate 10 children and 3 staff. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on August 1, 2024 at 9:20am. The last outdoor inspection was completed on October 1, 2024. The children were observed napping during the visit. The infants in care were observed napping and sitting in a swing. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A daily schedule was not available for the group In Space #1. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #1 and #2 were not current. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Staff reported children in space two participated in sand and water every other week rather than weekly. .0510(c)(3) 612 Each child's bed, cot, or 2" mat was not individually assigned and identified. One crib in Space #1 was not labeled with the child’s name. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(b) & (c) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. The safe sleep policy was not followed. An infant was observed sleeping with a bib fastened around her neck, and with a pacifier attached with a string to the bib. A pair of socks were also present in the crib with the sleeping infant. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) 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. Documentation of checking on sleeping infants had not been recorded for one of the two infants observed napping today. .0606(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than October 24, 2024. The compliance letter should be sent to me via email, from the email address on file with the Division as the center’s official email address. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. An extension will need to be requested from management. Child care licensing requirements were established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in childcare. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. We discussed that you are keeping the front doors locked, and that you had to leave the group in Space #1 to open the door to allow us to enter. We also discussed that no one was present to provide you with milk bottles for the infants from the kitchen, to receive the school-age children, or to prepare the afternoon snack. You stated all children ate before a staff member left at approximately 1pm, therefore you did not anticipate needing a bottle until the administrator arrived. You also stated you anticipated that the administrator would be present when snack was prepared. We discussed that the staff member in Space #2 could open the door and remain in the facility while watching the school-age children get off the bus and enter the facility. Or the Administrator would be present in time to receive the school age children. I reminded you that staff cannot leave children unsupervised to answer the door, or to deal with administrative tasks during the day. I also reminded you that school age children cannot exit the bus and enter the facility unsupervised. A staff member must retrieve them from the bus and escort them inside the building. Each group must have at least one staff member physically in the room at all times. I encouraged you to rethink the procedures regarding how to open the door when only two staff are present, or have visitors use one of the classroom doors to enter the facility. Several of the violations documented today were related to safe sleep requirements. Violations regarding sleep documentation were also documented during the second temporary time period visit. I encouraged you to review the center’s safe sleep policy with all staff, and that you refresh your training in ITS-SIDS. I also encouraged you to have the administrator monitor that the safe sleep policy is being followed at various times of the day. We also discussed the on-site hour requirement for Administrators and administrative tasks today. I reminded you that, based on your capacity, the named administrator is required to be on-site for a minimum of 20 hours per week. These hours are when the Administrator is not counted in staff child ratio but is conducting administrative tasks. Administrative tasks include talking with parents and prospective parents, doing enrollment activities, supervising and evaluating staff and the program, and monitoring to ensure paperwork is complete and accurate. We discussed that the administrator has not been present for any of the three temporary time period visits. She also was unable to assist with the visit today. You stated she typically works from 3:30 until the center closes. We discussed that many of the administrative tasks are needed to be completed during the business day. During today’s visit I observed that you had added an additional fenced in area, and that you had extended the space in the existing area. The outdoor play areas were measured, and the outdoor space plan was updated. We discussed that the far back fenced area is now being used as a parking area. This area will be removed from the approved outdoor play area. The two smaller fenced areas are approved. Playground #1 is to be used by infants and children one year of age. The space will allow for eight children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. Space #2 will be used by children from two years of age to school age. The space will allow for fourteen children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. We questioned whether one piece of equipment present on Playground #2 could be moved by one person or if it would need a fall zone. You demonstrated today that you were able to move the structure with no assistance. I, however, encouraged you to provide a fall zone with appropriate surfacing for this piece of equipment. We observed that you currently have mulch under the structure. We also discussed the shade on the playgrounds. Currently the building and some vegetation from the neighboring lot is providing shade. You stated you were getting an outdoor play area grant from the local Partnership for Children that included a shade structure. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that infants must sleep in a safe environment. We discussed that infants must sleep in a crib of playpen. They cannot sleep in bouncers or sitting devices, even with the parent permission. A doctor’s order would be needed for them to sleep anywhere other than a crib or playpen. The infants must be placed on their backs to sleep when first placed in the crib. If they can roll over, they are not required to be repositioned. If they are placed any way other than on their backs, a waiver must be available. The safe sleep logs must be completed as the children are laid down and should reflect that the child was placed in the crib on their back. If they immediately roll over, the form should be noted that the child was placed on their back and immediately rolled. The first notation on the safe sleep forms would be when the child is laid down, and should always be marked “back”, unless a waiver is on file. The second notation would be the first check. We also discussed that infants cannot sleep with anything in the cribs with them. They may not sleep with bibs around their necks, and they may not sleep with pacifiers attached to their clothing. You must have a way to monitor the temperature in the infant room to ensure it does not exceed 75 degrees. All food substitutions must be recorded on the menu before they are served. You stated today that you planned to substitute cheese and crackers with juice for the snack today. I reminded you that you must change the menu before the snack is served. The requirements for daily schedules and activity plans were also reviewed today. All children, including infants, must go outdoors daily, when weather permits. The daily schedule must accurately reflect the planning of the day. For children under two years old, interspersed among the daily events shall be individualized caregiving routines such as eating, napping, and toileting. When children under three years old are in care, the schedule shall include regular daily events such as the arrival and departure of the children, free-choice times, outside time, and teacher-directed activities. We discussed that activity plans should be planned weekly. I encouraged you to seek additional technical assistance from your local Partnership for Children or Child Care Resource and Referral agency with planning schedules and activity plans. The requirements for supervision were also discussed. Adequate supervision is defined as the staff moving about the indoor and outdoor areas while interacting with the children. Therefore, adult chairs should not be on the outdoor play areas. The time of arrival and departure requirements were also discussed. I reminded you that should children leave and return, the time they leave and the time they return should be clearly documented on the time of arrival and departure forms. I provided an example where if children must be evacuated, and three children with arrival times had left the facility to attend public school for the day, with no documentation provided, emergency personnel would be looking for three children who were not actually at the facility. Various ways to document this were discussed. RATED LICENSE: You submitted an application for a rated license assessment which was September 10, 2024. I referenced an email sent to you on September 10, 2024 notifying you of the status of the education information on file for each staff member. We discussed that two staff members have not been updated in the WORKS system. I notified you that due to processing timelines, all education must be submitted and evaluated by October 24, 2024. After this time, the information on file for each staff member will be used. Program Standards: You indicated on the application that you wanted to meet enhanced standards, including enhanced staff/child ratio requirements. The ratios were reviewed today. Following that review you stated you did not wish to meet the enhanced staff/child ratio standards. Therefore, the application was updated. You are not interested in meeting enhanced space or staff child ratio requirements or in having an environment rating scale assessment conducted at this time. The violations must be corrected in order for the center to meet applicable NC Child Care Requirements. Then the center will earn one point in this component. Staff Education: We discussed that the current Administrator is not listed in the WORKS system. Therefore, the center would be at one point in Staff Education with information currently on file. Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. With only three school age children enrolled, it is not considered a school age component. However, should you enroll additional school age children a Program Coordinator and Group Leader may need to be evaluated. I notified you that I would contact you via phone on October 25 to determine the number of points to be earned in this component. Quality Point: You indicated on the application that the center met this point by reducing the group size by at least one per age group from the seven point level. The center will earn the quality point. I will contact you by phone on October 25, 2024 to determine the total number of points and the Star Rating to be earned. We discussed that failure to earn a Three Star License may limit your participation in the Subsidized Child Care Program. 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. Prior to today’s visit this facility’s score was 97%. ANNUAL COMPLIANCE VISIT: Your center will be due for an annual compliance visit prior to May 16, 2025. Additional visits may be conducted by the Child Care Consultant prior to that date. I encouraged you to keep an up to date staff and training worksheet available for any monitoring visit that may be conducted. You will need to submit this document to your consultant in preparation for your annual compliance visit. You will need to have an annual fire inspection by April 26, 2025. It is your responsibility to contact the local fire inspector to request this inspection. An annual sanitation inspection will be due by June 10, 2025, however more frequent visits may be conducted. The sanitation and fire inspections must be submitted to your consultant within 7 days. I also reminded you that the water must be tested for lead every three years. ON-GOING TRAINING: Training hours will be monitored for compliance during your annual compliance visit. Training hours are required to be recorded on the on-going training log with certificates attached to the log for verification. HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING: All staff must complete Health & Safety training topics within one year of hire. CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment are due within the first 90 days of hire. After initial completion all topic areas must be completed every five years. A training log is available on the DCDEE website. This training information will be reviewed by a DCDEE consultant during a monitoring visit. Annually you must review the EPR plan online and print the review form for your records. You must review the EPR plan and the EMC plan with all staff on an annual basis. I recommend doing this at the same time everyone completes an annual health questionnaire and emergency information. This would also be a good time to do annual staff evaluations and staff development plans. Annual Licensing Fee: Pursuant to GS 110-90(1a) the Division establishes an annual fee for licensed child care facilities. The invoices for the fees are assessed based on your licensed capacity and mailed after the 1st of November every year. You will only receive one invoice and payment is due in FULL within 30 days. Please closely monitor your mail and be on the lookout for your invoice. Please don’t delay making your payment and be aware that Payment Plans are NOT available. In addition, please be aware that failure to pay a license fee within 30 days of receipt will result in late charges. If payments are made late and late charges are applied, the fee as well as the late charge must be resolved. Please be reminded that, failure to pay a license fee could also result in the facility's child care license being revoked. GENERAL INFORMATION: If you have any changes to your phone number, email or mailing address, please update me so I can make changes in our computer system. This information is what DCDEE uses on the Search for Childcare site, it is also the only way DCDEE communities with you. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. I encourage you to review DCDEE training modules, and to check your email for any additional information or updates. You will need to have an NCID which is the same NCID that you use for Health and Safety training, WORKS login, and the CBC Portal- to view Moodle training. For the most up to date information, copies of sample forms, and copies of the child care requirements, updates to rules/laws you were encouraged to periodically visit the Division's website and click on the What’s New tab at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Once you have been issued your star rated license, your file will be transferred to your assigned childcare consultant. I will email you with their contact information when this occurs. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Tots R Us Childcare II Facility ID: 31000283 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/10/2024 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/10/2024 Age: From 0 To 3 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 01:00 PM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced visit today was to monitor your center for meeting applicable child care requirements during your Temporary License period. This is the third temporary time period visit for this facility. This facility is currently operating on a Temporary License effective from May 16, 2024 to November 16, 2024. Carla Hanchey-Edwards, Child Care Consultant assisted with today’s visit. T. Hayes, Administrator was not present during the visit. She was reached by phone and stated she would not be able to assist with today’s visit. The owner representative was present and observed as the caregiver in Space #1. During the visit another staff member returned to the center, and the remainder of the visit was conducted with the owner representative. Two classrooms are operating with 13 children enrolled and 9 children present. During today’s visit the following items were monitored for compliance: supervision, ratios, CPR/FA training, Criminal Background Checks, storage of hazardous substances, and medications, use of approved/adequate space, license and permit restrictions. No new staff have been hired since the last monitoring visit. The most recent fire drill was conducted on October 1, 2024 at 9:00am. The log reflected it took one minute to evacuate 10 children and 3 staff. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on August 1, 2024 at 9:20am. The last outdoor inspection was completed on October 1, 2024. The children were observed napping during the visit. The infants in care were observed napping and sitting in a swing. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A daily schedule was not available for the group In Space #1. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #1 and #2 were not current. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Staff reported children in space two participated in sand and water every other week rather than weekly. .0510(c)(3) 612 Each child's bed, cot, or 2" mat was not individually assigned and identified. One crib in Space #1 was not labeled with the child’s name. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(b) & (c) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. The safe sleep policy was not followed. An infant was observed sleeping with a bib fastened around her neck, and with a pacifier attached with a string to the bib. A pair of socks were also present in the crib with the sleeping infant. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) 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. Documentation of checking on sleeping infants had not been recorded for one of the two infants observed napping today. .0606(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than October 24, 2024. The compliance letter should be sent to me via email, from the email address on file with the Division as the center’s official email address. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. An extension will need to be requested from management. Child care licensing requirements were established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in childcare. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. We discussed that you are keeping the front doors locked, and that you had to leave the group in Space #1 to open the door to allow us to enter. We also discussed that no one was present to provide you with milk bottles for the infants from the kitchen, to receive the school-age children, or to prepare the afternoon snack. You stated all children ate before a staff member left at approximately 1pm, therefore you did not anticipate needing a bottle until the administrator arrived. You also stated you anticipated that the administrator would be present when snack was prepared. We discussed that the staff member in Space #2 could open the door and remain in the facility while watching the school-age children get off the bus and enter the facility. Or the Administrator would be present in time to receive the school age children. I reminded you that staff cannot leave children unsupervised to answer the door, or to deal with administrative tasks during the day. I also reminded you that school age children cannot exit the bus and enter the facility unsupervised. A staff member must retrieve them from the bus and escort them inside the building. Each group must have at least one staff member physically in the room at all times. I encouraged you to rethink the procedures regarding how to open the door when only two staff are present, or have visitors use one of the classroom doors to enter the facility. Several of the violations documented today were related to safe sleep requirements. Violations regarding sleep documentation were also documented during the second temporary time period visit. I encouraged you to review the center’s safe sleep policy with all staff, and that you refresh your training in ITS-SIDS. I also encouraged you to have the administrator monitor that the safe sleep policy is being followed at various times of the day. We also discussed the on-site hour requirement for Administrators and administrative tasks today. I reminded you that, based on your capacity, the named administrator is required to be on-site for a minimum of 20 hours per week. These hours are when the Administrator is not counted in staff child ratio but is conducting administrative tasks. Administrative tasks include talking with parents and prospective parents, doing enrollment activities, supervising and evaluating staff and the program, and monitoring to ensure paperwork is complete and accurate. We discussed that the administrator has not been present for any of the three temporary time period visits. She also was unable to assist with the visit today. You stated she typically works from 3:30 until the center closes. We discussed that many of the administrative tasks are needed to be completed during the business day. During today’s visit I observed that you had added an additional fenced in area, and that you had extended the space in the existing area. The outdoor play areas were measured, and the outdoor space plan was updated. We discussed that the far back fenced area is now being used as a parking area. This area will be removed from the approved outdoor play area. The two smaller fenced areas are approved. Playground #1 is to be used by infants and children one year of age. The space will allow for eight children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. Space #2 will be used by children from two years of age to school age. The space will allow for fourteen children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. We questioned whether one piece of equipment present on Playground #2 could be moved by one person or if it would need a fall zone. You demonstrated today that you were able to move the structure with no assistance. I, however, encouraged you to provide a fall zone with appropriate surfacing for this piece of equipment. We observed that you currently have mulch under the structure. We also discussed the shade on the playgrounds. Currently the building and some vegetation from the neighboring lot is providing shade. You stated you were getting an outdoor play area grant from the local Partnership for Children that included a shade structure. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that infants must sleep in a safe environment. We discussed that infants must sleep in a crib of playpen. They cannot sleep in bouncers or sitting devices, even with the parent permission. A doctor’s order would be needed for them to sleep anywhere other than a crib or playpen. The infants must be placed on their backs to sleep when first placed in the crib. If they can roll over, they are not required to be repositioned. If they are placed any way other than on their backs, a waiver must be available. The safe sleep logs must be completed as the children are laid down and should reflect that the child was placed in the crib on their back. If they immediately roll over, the form should be noted that the child was placed on their back and immediately rolled. The first notation on the safe sleep forms would be when the child is laid down, and should always be marked “back”, unless a waiver is on file. The second notation would be the first check. We also discussed that infants cannot sleep with anything in the cribs with them. They may not sleep with bibs around their necks, and they may not sleep with pacifiers attached to their clothing. You must have a way to monitor the temperature in the infant room to ensure it does not exceed 75 degrees. All food substitutions must be recorded on the menu before they are served. You stated today that you planned to substitute cheese and crackers with juice for the snack today. I reminded you that you must change the menu before the snack is served. The requirements for daily schedules and activity plans were also reviewed today. All children, including infants, must go outdoors daily, when weather permits. The daily schedule must accurately reflect the planning of the day. For children under two years old, interspersed among the daily events shall be individualized caregiving routines such as eating, napping, and toileting. When children under three years old are in care, the schedule shall include regular daily events such as the arrival and departure of the children, free-choice times, outside time, and teacher-directed activities. We discussed that activity plans should be planned weekly. I encouraged you to seek additional technical assistance from your local Partnership for Children or Child Care Resource and Referral agency with planning schedules and activity plans. The requirements for supervision were also discussed. Adequate supervision is defined as the staff moving about the indoor and outdoor areas while interacting with the children. Therefore, adult chairs should not be on the outdoor play areas. The time of arrival and departure requirements were also discussed. I reminded you that should children leave and return, the time they leave and the time they return should be clearly documented on the time of arrival and departure forms. I provided an example where if children must be evacuated, and three children with arrival times had left the facility to attend public school for the day, with no documentation provided, emergency personnel would be looking for three children who were not actually at the facility. Various ways to document this were discussed. RATED LICENSE: You submitted an application for a rated license assessment which was September 10, 2024. I referenced an email sent to you on September 10, 2024 notifying you of the status of the education information on file for each staff member. We discussed that two staff members have not been updated in the WORKS system. I notified you that due to processing timelines, all education must be submitted and evaluated by October 24, 2024. After this time, the information on file for each staff member will be used. Program Standards: You indicated on the application that you wanted to meet enhanced standards, including enhanced staff/child ratio requirements. The ratios were reviewed today. Following that review you stated you did not wish to meet the enhanced staff/child ratio standards. Therefore, the application was updated. You are not interested in meeting enhanced space or staff child ratio requirements or in having an environment rating scale assessment conducted at this time. The violations must be corrected in order for the center to meet applicable NC Child Care Requirements. Then the center will earn one point in this component. Staff Education: We discussed that the current Administrator is not listed in the WORKS system. Therefore, the center would be at one point in Staff Education with information currently on file. Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. With only three school age children enrolled, it is not considered a school age component. However, should you enroll additional school age children a Program Coordinator and Group Leader may need to be evaluated. I notified you that I would contact you via phone on October 25 to determine the number of points to be earned in this component. Quality Point: You indicated on the application that the center met this point by reducing the group size by at least one per age group from the seven point level. The center will earn the quality point. I will contact you by phone on October 25, 2024 to determine the total number of points and the Star Rating to be earned. We discussed that failure to earn a Three Star License may limit your participation in the Subsidized Child Care Program. 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. Prior to today’s visit this facility’s score was 97%. ANNUAL COMPLIANCE VISIT: Your center will be due for an annual compliance visit prior to May 16, 2025. Additional visits may be conducted by the Child Care Consultant prior to that date. I encouraged you to keep an up to date staff and training worksheet available for any monitoring visit that may be conducted. You will need to submit this document to your consultant in preparation for your annual compliance visit. You will need to have an annual fire inspection by April 26, 2025. It is your responsibility to contact the local fire inspector to request this inspection. An annual sanitation inspection will be due by June 10, 2025, however more frequent visits may be conducted. The sanitation and fire inspections must be submitted to your consultant within 7 days. I also reminded you that the water must be tested for lead every three years. ON-GOING TRAINING: Training hours will be monitored for compliance during your annual compliance visit. Training hours are required to be recorded on the on-going training log with certificates attached to the log for verification. HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING: All staff must complete Health & Safety training topics within one year of hire. CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment are due within the first 90 days of hire. After initial completion all topic areas must be completed every five years. A training log is available on the DCDEE website. This training information will be reviewed by a DCDEE consultant during a monitoring visit. Annually you must review the EPR plan online and print the review form for your records. You must review the EPR plan and the EMC plan with all staff on an annual basis. I recommend doing this at the same time everyone completes an annual health questionnaire and emergency information. This would also be a good time to do annual staff evaluations and staff development plans. Annual Licensing Fee: Pursuant to GS 110-90(1a) the Division establishes an annual fee for licensed child care facilities. The invoices for the fees are assessed based on your licensed capacity and mailed after the 1st of November every year. You will only receive one invoice and payment is due in FULL within 30 days. Please closely monitor your mail and be on the lookout for your invoice. Please don’t delay making your payment and be aware that Payment Plans are NOT available. In addition, please be aware that failure to pay a license fee within 30 days of receipt will result in late charges. If payments are made late and late charges are applied, the fee as well as the late charge must be resolved. Please be reminded that, failure to pay a license fee could also result in the facility's child care license being revoked. GENERAL INFORMATION: If you have any changes to your phone number, email or mailing address, please update me so I can make changes in our computer system. This information is what DCDEE uses on the Search for Childcare site, it is also the only way DCDEE communities with you. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. I encourage you to review DCDEE training modules, and to check your email for any additional information or updates. You will need to have an NCID which is the same NCID that you use for Health and Safety training, WORKS login, and the CBC Portal- to view Moodle training. For the most up to date information, copies of sample forms, and copies of the child care requirements, updates to rules/laws you were encouraged to periodically visit the Division's website and click on the What’s New tab at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Once you have been issued your star rated license, your file will be transferred to your assigned childcare consultant. I will email you with their contact information when this occurs. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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: Tots R Us Childcare II Facility ID: 31000283 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/10/2024 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 10/10/2024 Age: From 0 To 3 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 01:00 PM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my unannounced visit today was to monitor your center for meeting applicable child care requirements during your Temporary License period. This is the third temporary time period visit for this facility. This facility is currently operating on a Temporary License effective from May 16, 2024 to November 16, 2024. Carla Hanchey-Edwards, Child Care Consultant assisted with today’s visit. T. Hayes, Administrator was not present during the visit. She was reached by phone and stated she would not be able to assist with today’s visit. The owner representative was present and observed as the caregiver in Space #1. During the visit another staff member returned to the center, and the remainder of the visit was conducted with the owner representative. Two classrooms are operating with 13 children enrolled and 9 children present. During today’s visit the following items were monitored for compliance: supervision, ratios, CPR/FA training, Criminal Background Checks, storage of hazardous substances, and medications, use of approved/adequate space, license and permit restrictions. No new staff have been hired since the last monitoring visit. The most recent fire drill was conducted on October 1, 2024 at 9:00am. The log reflected it took one minute to evacuate 10 children and 3 staff. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on August 1, 2024 at 9:20am. The last outdoor inspection was completed on October 1, 2024. The children were observed napping during the visit. The infants in care were observed napping and sitting in a swing. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A daily schedule was not available for the group In Space #1. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #1 and #2 were not current. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Staff reported children in space two participated in sand and water every other week rather than weekly. .0510(c)(3) 612 Each child's bed, cot, or 2" mat was not individually assigned and identified. One crib in Space #1 was not labeled with the child’s name. 15A NCAC 18A .2821(b) & (c) 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. The safe sleep policy was not followed. An infant was observed sleeping with a bib fastened around her neck, and with a pacifier attached with a string to the bib. A pair of socks were also present in the crib with the sleeping infant. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) 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. Documentation of checking on sleeping infants had not been recorded for one of the two infants observed napping today. .0606(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than October 24, 2024. The compliance letter should be sent to me via email, from the email address on file with the Division as the center’s official email address. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. An extension will need to be requested from management. Child care licensing requirements were established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in childcare. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. We discussed that you are keeping the front doors locked, and that you had to leave the group in Space #1 to open the door to allow us to enter. We also discussed that no one was present to provide you with milk bottles for the infants from the kitchen, to receive the school-age children, or to prepare the afternoon snack. You stated all children ate before a staff member left at approximately 1pm, therefore you did not anticipate needing a bottle until the administrator arrived. You also stated you anticipated that the administrator would be present when snack was prepared. We discussed that the staff member in Space #2 could open the door and remain in the facility while watching the school-age children get off the bus and enter the facility. Or the Administrator would be present in time to receive the school age children. I reminded you that staff cannot leave children unsupervised to answer the door, or to deal with administrative tasks during the day. I also reminded you that school age children cannot exit the bus and enter the facility unsupervised. A staff member must retrieve them from the bus and escort them inside the building. Each group must have at least one staff member physically in the room at all times. I encouraged you to rethink the procedures regarding how to open the door when only two staff are present, or have visitors use one of the classroom doors to enter the facility. Several of the violations documented today were related to safe sleep requirements. Violations regarding sleep documentation were also documented during the second temporary time period visit. I encouraged you to review the center’s safe sleep policy with all staff, and that you refresh your training in ITS-SIDS. I also encouraged you to have the administrator monitor that the safe sleep policy is being followed at various times of the day. We also discussed the on-site hour requirement for Administrators and administrative tasks today. I reminded you that, based on your capacity, the named administrator is required to be on-site for a minimum of 20 hours per week. These hours are when the Administrator is not counted in staff child ratio but is conducting administrative tasks. Administrative tasks include talking with parents and prospective parents, doing enrollment activities, supervising and evaluating staff and the program, and monitoring to ensure paperwork is complete and accurate. We discussed that the administrator has not been present for any of the three temporary time period visits. She also was unable to assist with the visit today. You stated she typically works from 3:30 until the center closes. We discussed that many of the administrative tasks are needed to be completed during the business day. During today’s visit I observed that you had added an additional fenced in area, and that you had extended the space in the existing area. The outdoor play areas were measured, and the outdoor space plan was updated. We discussed that the far back fenced area is now being used as a parking area. This area will be removed from the approved outdoor play area. The two smaller fenced areas are approved. Playground #1 is to be used by infants and children one year of age. The space will allow for eight children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. Space #2 will be used by children from two years of age to school age. The space will allow for fourteen children to use the space at one time using minimum space requirements. We questioned whether one piece of equipment present on Playground #2 could be moved by one person or if it would need a fall zone. You demonstrated today that you were able to move the structure with no assistance. I, however, encouraged you to provide a fall zone with appropriate surfacing for this piece of equipment. We observed that you currently have mulch under the structure. We also discussed the shade on the playgrounds. Currently the building and some vegetation from the neighboring lot is providing shade. You stated you were getting an outdoor play area grant from the local Partnership for Children that included a shade structure. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that infants must sleep in a safe environment. We discussed that infants must sleep in a crib of playpen. They cannot sleep in bouncers or sitting devices, even with the parent permission. A doctor’s order would be needed for them to sleep anywhere other than a crib or playpen. The infants must be placed on their backs to sleep when first placed in the crib. If they can roll over, they are not required to be repositioned. If they are placed any way other than on their backs, a waiver must be available. The safe sleep logs must be completed as the children are laid down and should reflect that the child was placed in the crib on their back. If they immediately roll over, the form should be noted that the child was placed on their back and immediately rolled. The first notation on the safe sleep forms would be when the child is laid down, and should always be marked “back”, unless a waiver is on file. The second notation would be the first check. We also discussed that infants cannot sleep with anything in the cribs with them. They may not sleep with bibs around their necks, and they may not sleep with pacifiers attached to their clothing. You must have a way to monitor the temperature in the infant room to ensure it does not exceed 75 degrees. All food substitutions must be recorded on the menu before they are served. You stated today that you planned to substitute cheese and crackers with juice for the snack today. I reminded you that you must change the menu before the snack is served. The requirements for daily schedules and activity plans were also reviewed today. All children, including infants, must go outdoors daily, when weather permits. The daily schedule must accurately reflect the planning of the day. For children under two years old, interspersed among the daily events shall be individualized caregiving routines such as eating, napping, and toileting. When children under three years old are in care, the schedule shall include regular daily events such as the arrival and departure of the children, free-choice times, outside time, and teacher-directed activities. We discussed that activity plans should be planned weekly. I encouraged you to seek additional technical assistance from your local Partnership for Children or Child Care Resource and Referral agency with planning schedules and activity plans. The requirements for supervision were also discussed. Adequate supervision is defined as the staff moving about the indoor and outdoor areas while interacting with the children. Therefore, adult chairs should not be on the outdoor play areas. The time of arrival and departure requirements were also discussed. I reminded you that should children leave and return, the time they leave and the time they return should be clearly documented on the time of arrival and departure forms. I provided an example where if children must be evacuated, and three children with arrival times had left the facility to attend public school for the day, with no documentation provided, emergency personnel would be looking for three children who were not actually at the facility. Various ways to document this were discussed. RATED LICENSE: You submitted an application for a rated license assessment which was September 10, 2024. I referenced an email sent to you on September 10, 2024 notifying you of the status of the education information on file for each staff member. We discussed that two staff members have not been updated in the WORKS system. I notified you that due to processing timelines, all education must be submitted and evaluated by October 24, 2024. After this time, the information on file for each staff member will be used. Program Standards: You indicated on the application that you wanted to meet enhanced standards, including enhanced staff/child ratio requirements. The ratios were reviewed today. Following that review you stated you did not wish to meet the enhanced staff/child ratio standards. Therefore, the application was updated. You are not interested in meeting enhanced space or staff child ratio requirements or in having an environment rating scale assessment conducted at this time. The violations must be corrected in order for the center to meet applicable NC Child Care Requirements. Then the center will earn one point in this component. Staff Education: We discussed that the current Administrator is not listed in the WORKS system. Therefore, the center would be at one point in Staff Education with information currently on file. Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. With only three school age children enrolled, it is not considered a school age component. However, should you enroll additional school age children a Program Coordinator and Group Leader may need to be evaluated. I notified you that I would contact you via phone on October 25 to determine the number of points to be earned in this component. Quality Point: You indicated on the application that the center met this point by reducing the group size by at least one per age group from the seven point level. The center will earn the quality point. I will contact you by phone on October 25, 2024 to determine the total number of points and the Star Rating to be earned. We discussed that failure to earn a Three Star License may limit your participation in the Subsidized Child Care Program. 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. Prior to today’s visit this facility’s score was 97%. ANNUAL COMPLIANCE VISIT: Your center will be due for an annual compliance visit prior to May 16, 2025. Additional visits may be conducted by the Child Care Consultant prior to that date. I encouraged you to keep an up to date staff and training worksheet available for any monitoring visit that may be conducted. You will need to submit this document to your consultant in preparation for your annual compliance visit. You will need to have an annual fire inspection by April 26, 2025. It is your responsibility to contact the local fire inspector to request this inspection. An annual sanitation inspection will be due by June 10, 2025, however more frequent visits may be conducted. The sanitation and fire inspections must be submitted to your consultant within 7 days. I also reminded you that the water must be tested for lead every three years. ON-GOING TRAINING: Training hours will be monitored for compliance during your annual compliance visit. Training hours are required to be recorded on the on-going training log with certificates attached to the log for verification. HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING: All staff must complete Health & Safety training topics within one year of hire. CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment are due within the first 90 days of hire. After initial completion all topic areas must be completed every five years. A training log is available on the DCDEE website. This training information will be reviewed by a DCDEE consultant during a monitoring visit. Annually you must review the EPR plan online and print the review form for your records. You must review the EPR plan and the EMC plan with all staff on an annual basis. I recommend doing this at the same time everyone completes an annual health questionnaire and emergency information. This would also be a good time to do annual staff evaluations and staff development plans. Annual Licensing Fee: Pursuant to GS 110-90(1a) the Division establishes an annual fee for licensed child care facilities. The invoices for the fees are assessed based on your licensed capacity and mailed after the 1st of November every year. You will only receive one invoice and payment is due in FULL within 30 days. Please closely monitor your mail and be on the lookout for your invoice. Please don’t delay making your payment and be aware that Payment Plans are NOT available. In addition, please be aware that failure to pay a license fee within 30 days of receipt will result in late charges. If payments are made late and late charges are applied, the fee as well as the late charge must be resolved. Please be reminded that, failure to pay a license fee could also result in the facility's child care license being revoked. GENERAL INFORMATION: If you have any changes to your phone number, email or mailing address, please update me so I can make changes in our computer system. This information is what DCDEE uses on the Search for Childcare site, it is also the only way DCDEE communities with you. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. I encourage you to review DCDEE training modules, and to check your email for any additional information or updates. You will need to have an NCID which is the same NCID that you use for Health and Safety training, WORKS login, and the CBC Portal- to view Moodle training. For the most up to date information, copies of sample forms, and copies of the child care requirements, updates to rules/laws you were encouraged to periodically visit the Division's website and click on the What’s New tab at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Once you have been issued your star rated license, your file will be transferred to your assigned childcare consultant. I will email you with their contact information when this occurs. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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: Tots R Us Childcare II Facility ID: 31000283 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/9/2024 Number Present: 3 Completed Date: 7/9/2024 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 105 Time In: 11:45 AM Time Out: 01:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for the facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued May 16, 2024 and is valid through November 16, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 17 children ages 0 to 12 years old. T. Hayes, Administrator was not present when I arrived. It was explained that her work time begins at 4:30pm. The owner was present and was observed as the only staff member on the premises. Two classrooms are operating with 13 children enrolled and 3 children present. One classroom was in operation today due to low attendance. During today’s visit the children were observed napping. You stated the lunch today consisted of ham and cheese sandwich, garden peas, oranges, and milk. You stated the meals are currently being catered from the local school system. Your last fire drill was completed July 1, 2024 at 9:10am. The log reflected it took one minute to evacuate. A lockdown drill was conducted on May 17, 2024 at 9:10 am. The last outdoor inspection was also completed July 1, 2024. The most recent sanitation inspection was conducted on June 10, 2024 with a Superior classification and 5 demerits. The most recent fire inspection was conducted April 26, 2024. I monitored your classroom environments, outdoor playgrounds, a sampling of staff and children's records and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classrooms have a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Activity plans and daily schedules were posted. Three children’s records were reviewed today and were in compliance. Three staff files were also reviewed today. Using a checklist helps verify information on file and easily identifies missing information. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. Two staff members did not have a medical report on file before employment. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One staff member received nine hours of orientation and a second staff member received nine hours and twenty minutes of orientation. One staff member did not cover 11 of the required topics. .1101(a) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. One staff member did not receive orientation in one of the required topic areas. A second staff member received four hours and thirty minutes of orientation within these topic areas within the first two weeks of employment. .1101(a)(b) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than July 23, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. We discussed that you have previously taken the Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. Therefore, you are required to have the center’s Emergency Preparedness Plan created in the Emergency Management Portal within four months of receiving your child care license. Your plan is due by September 16, 2024. You have already begun conducting shelter-in-place or lockdown drills. These must be conducted every three months. I asked that you submit a schedule of how the Administrator meets the on-site hour requirements. This is time when she is not counted in staff/child ratio but is conducting Administrative duties. The schedule should be signed by both you as owner, and by the Administrator. Technical Assistance and Consultation: Supervision was discussed today. As you are also a licensed family child care home provider, I reminded you that center supervision is different than family child care home supervision, especially at naptime. I reminded you that staff must remain in the classroom at all times, including naptime. Visual supervision is required at all times. If you need to step to the office, or to other areas of the center, you must take the children with you, or have another staff member relieve you before you leave the classroom. When only one caregiver is required to meet the staff/child ratio, the operator must have one of the following options for emergency relief: (A) the center shall post the name, address, and telephone number of an adult who has agreed in writing to be available to provide emergency relief; or (B) there shall be a second adult on the premises who is available to provide emergency relief. We discussed that typically there are at least two staff members present, however when the enrolled infant is not present, that classroom is closed and only one staff member is required. We father discussed how meals and snacks are provided when only one staff member is present. The child are rules state that when only one caregiver is required to meet the staff/child ratio and no children under two years of age are in care, that caregiver may concurrently perform food preparation or other duties that are not direct child care responsibilities as long as supervision of the children is maintained. You stated today that someone delivers the meals, and that you prepare the snacks while the children wait in the hallway just outside the kitchen area. The requirements for orientation were discussed today. I reminded you that a minimum of sixteen hours is required. The top section of the form must be completed within the first two weeks of employment and must be no less than six hours. The remainder must be completed within the first six weeks of employment. I explained that orientation is specific to your center and your policies and procedures. Health and Safety trainings may not be counted toward orientation as they are for general knowledge. When new staff are hired, they may bring in Health and Safety training they have completed within the last year only. Trainings that were completed more than a year before hire are not accepted. New staff have 90 days to complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicion of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid certifications. They must complete the remainder of the Health and Safety trainings within one year of employment. I also reminded you that an evacuation crib is required if you provide care for non-mobile children. We discussed that the crib in the infant room has wheels, however we are unsure if it is classified as an evacuation crib, meaning it has a reinforced bottom for added weight and wheels that can withstand the added pressure of going over thresholds and uneven ground. I asked that you locate the paperwork for the crib and verify it meets the evacuation crib requirement. We discussed that the meals are currently being catered by the local school’s summer feeding program. You stated they do not provide a menu, and you are unsure from day to day what will be served. I observed that you have a planned menu, however the food substitutions are marked on the menu. I reminded you that this recording must happen before the food is served. If the meal delivered does not meet meal patterns for children in child care, you must supplement the missing component. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the rated license process. You stated you planned to apply for a Two though Five Star Rated License at the end of the temporary time period. I notified you that the application packet is available on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents. You stated you would not be requesting an Environment Rating Scale assessment as part of this application. I encouraged you to ensure all staff have requested evaluations for their positions using the WORKS system. I encouraged you to place updated status letters in each staff member’s file. I asked that you submit the rated license application as soon as possible. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. 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. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is 2201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2201. 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.