G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: TOTS R US CHILDCARE Facility ID: 31000261 Consultant: CARLA HANCHEY-EDWARDS Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 3/24/2025 Number Present: 3 Completed Date: 3/24/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 85 Time In: 04:55 PM Time Out: 06:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance with applicable Family Child Care Home requirements during an annual compliance visit. An annual compliance monitoring checklist was used. You completed the FCCH and Centers in a Residence Statements of Responsibility and the FCCH Verification Form. Your signature on these forms will serve as verification that the information is accurate and complete. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued May 14, 2024. The hold harmless has been extended until further notice at this time. During the visit, the inside and outside areas of your home were monitored. During the visit there were three children observed playing with puzzles upon my arrival. All three children were picked up by their parents during the time of the visit. The childcare room and the bathroom the children use was observed. Smoke detector, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, refrigerator thermometer, storage of medication and hazardous products, outlets, garbage storage, steps, toys, and materials were all monitored for compliance. The permit, emergency numbers, schedule and NC Summary of the Child Care Law were posted. Qualifying letters, CPR / First Aid, health questionnaire, emergency procedures, and children's records were also monitored for compliance. You stated you were currently working with the children on the alphabet, colors, shapes and number activities. The menu for today was posted and consisted of turkey sandwich on wheat bread, apple sauce, green beans, and milk. Your last fire drill and monthly playground inspection were dated 3/1/25. Your last EPR drill was a shelter-in-place completed 3/1/25. I reminded you this must be completed every three months and documentation kept on file for review. I recommend that you place your due dates on a calendar or a spreadsheet to help in maintaining compliance. Your fire inspection expires 4/26/24, make sure you have a new inspection completed prior to the expiration date. Please send me a written statement describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The written statement must be received no later than April 7, 2025. Please note that if your letter is mailed, a handwritten signature is required. As an alternative, compliance letters can now be submitted via email to carla.hanchey-edwards@dhhs.nc.gov. I recommend emailing your letter to reduce the time needed to ensure my receipt of your information; however, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your letter is mailed in a timely fashion and that you allow for any possible delays in the mail service. Please note that the two- week timeframe is established to allow time for submission of your letter, not for correcting the violations. All violations should be corrected immediately or as soon as possible. Please contact me if you have questions pertaining to your compliance letter or if you will not be able to meet the two-week timeframe for submission of your compliance letter. Violation Number Comment Rule 706 Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care. Aerosol spray, tidy bowl, toothpaste were were in a cabinet with an unsecure lock in the bathroom. The outdoor storage building was unlocked containing an empty gas can, and a container of bleach. .1719 (a)(7) 716 Electrical outlets not in use were not covered. An electrical outlet was not covered in the childcare. 10A NCAC .1719(a)(27) 930 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 from the date of issuance). The childcare provider did not completed a criminal background check before the qualification letter expired on 3-6-25. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(n) & (o) 1804 Safe sleep policy and poster about safe sleep practices was not posted in a prominent place in the infant sleeping room or area where parents and caregivers are able to view daily. The safe sleep policy was not posted. .1724(b) 1831 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review at the facility. The qualifying letter on file had an expiration date of 3/6/25. G.S. 110-90.2 (b) & (d) & .2703(e) .1702(b)(1) 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. Please be reminded any aerosol cans and other hazardous chemicals must be stored in locked storage areas inside and outside. During the visit I observed your criminal background check expired as of 3/6/25. You stated you were not aware it had expired, but you would take care of this in the morning and submit your updated criminal background check. I reminded you are required to complete a criminal background check prior to the expiration date in your qualifying letter. Please review the North Carolina General Statue 110-90.2 and the section .2703 of child care rules that cover the requirements for a criminal background check. If you do not receive your qualifying letter within two weeks you will not be able to operate your family childcare home until you receive your valid qualifying letter. Once you receive your new qualifying letter it is valid for five years from the date of issuance. 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. I reminded you the health and safety trainings 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. 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. 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