10A NCAC 09 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: NATALIE M. POND Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 1/14/2026 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 1/14/2026 Age: From 4 To 4 Total Minutes: 105 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. Your program currently operates with a Three Star Family Child Care Home License issued July 13, 2020. Restrictions on the license include a first shift capacity of eight (8) children and a second shift capacity of eight (8) children ages 0 to 12, maximum of five (5) preschool children at any time, and serves no more than two (2) infants less than 12 months old. The last annual compliance visit was completed on April 24, 2025. The program's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. Prior to today’s visit, the program’s 18-month compliance history was ninety-two percent (92%) T. Best, owner, was present during the visit. There was one (1) child present. I observed you interacting with the child using a variety of materials in the child care space, including a counting game with ball toss, balancing Jenga blocks, building with interlocking blocks, and story time. There are no infants currently enrolled. Additional caregivers/substitutes have not been hired since the last visit. The previous Verification of Required Information form was reviewed and observed to be up to date. The required Health and Safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 have been completed. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 929 Developmentally appropriate activities for the ages of children in care, were not provided as planned on the written schedule and activity plan. The posted plan was dated April 2025 and did not reflect current activities. G.S.110-91(12) & .1718(a)(6) 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 (18)-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five (75) percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation was corrected during the visit, so no further action is needed at this time. Technical Assistance: A violation was cited regarding the posted activity plan. Written activity plans are required for family child care homes and must be current. They may be separate from the daily schedule or combined into one document. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Today we reviewed the five domains in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development and how they relate to your daily activities. We discussed strategies for incorporating children’s interests into weekly planning and ways to keep your activity plan current while also being flexible to match the children’s developmental needs. I encourage you to review the NC Foundations book and if available, seek training for an additional review and refresher. For each group of children in care, the activity plan shall include activities intended to stimulate the following developmental domains, in accordance with North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development, available on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/providers/pv_foundations.asp: (1) emotional and social development; (2) health and physical development; (3) approaches to play and learning; (4) language development and communication; and (5) cognitive development. Training opportunities: Every Relationship Matters Created by the ITTI Care Project, Every Relationship Matters! Strengthening Relationships between Adults in Child Care Settings for Directors, Teachers and FCCH Professionals is a free 1.5-hour training that highlights how important all the relationships that surround young children are. Address the Stress ITTI Care Project’s Address the Stress training is now available. This free 1-hour Wellness Workshop teaches ways to reduce stress and take care of YOU! Both are now available online via DCDEE Moodle! Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition includes the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform. •Webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars were recorded and are posted on the QRIS Modernization page. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. Today, I completed a QRIS Conversation Template for your facility. You reported that your facility is choosing Pathway One, Program Assessment. A copy of this template is attached to this visit summary. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities in order to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to working with you on your pathway to the stars! At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at Natalie.m.pond@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-364-4898. If you need further assistance, please contact my supervisor at 910-824-0470 or kim.sherry@dhhs.nc.gov If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

G.S.110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: NATALIE M. POND Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 1/14/2026 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 1/14/2026 Age: From 4 To 4 Total Minutes: 105 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. Your program currently operates with a Three Star Family Child Care Home License issued July 13, 2020. Restrictions on the license include a first shift capacity of eight (8) children and a second shift capacity of eight (8) children ages 0 to 12, maximum of five (5) preschool children at any time, and serves no more than two (2) infants less than 12 months old. The last annual compliance visit was completed on April 24, 2025. The program's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. Prior to today’s visit, the program’s 18-month compliance history was ninety-two percent (92%) T. Best, owner, was present during the visit. There was one (1) child present. I observed you interacting with the child using a variety of materials in the child care space, including a counting game with ball toss, balancing Jenga blocks, building with interlocking blocks, and story time. There are no infants currently enrolled. Additional caregivers/substitutes have not been hired since the last visit. The previous Verification of Required Information form was reviewed and observed to be up to date. The required Health and Safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 have been completed. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 929 Developmentally appropriate activities for the ages of children in care, were not provided as planned on the written schedule and activity plan. The posted plan was dated April 2025 and did not reflect current activities. G.S.110-91(12) & .1718(a)(6) 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 (18)-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five (75) percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation was corrected during the visit, so no further action is needed at this time. Technical Assistance: A violation was cited regarding the posted activity plan. Written activity plans are required for family child care homes and must be current. They may be separate from the daily schedule or combined into one document. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Today we reviewed the five domains in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development and how they relate to your daily activities. We discussed strategies for incorporating children’s interests into weekly planning and ways to keep your activity plan current while also being flexible to match the children’s developmental needs. I encourage you to review the NC Foundations book and if available, seek training for an additional review and refresher. For each group of children in care, the activity plan shall include activities intended to stimulate the following developmental domains, in accordance with North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development, available on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/providers/pv_foundations.asp: (1) emotional and social development; (2) health and physical development; (3) approaches to play and learning; (4) language development and communication; and (5) cognitive development. Training opportunities: Every Relationship Matters Created by the ITTI Care Project, Every Relationship Matters! Strengthening Relationships between Adults in Child Care Settings for Directors, Teachers and FCCH Professionals is a free 1.5-hour training that highlights how important all the relationships that surround young children are. Address the Stress ITTI Care Project’s Address the Stress training is now available. This free 1-hour Wellness Workshop teaches ways to reduce stress and take care of YOU! Both are now available online via DCDEE Moodle! Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition includes the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform. •Webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars were recorded and are posted on the QRIS Modernization page. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. Today, I completed a QRIS Conversation Template for your facility. You reported that your facility is choosing Pathway One, Program Assessment. A copy of this template is attached to this visit summary. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities in order to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to working with you on your pathway to the stars! At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at Natalie.m.pond@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-364-4898. If you need further assistance, please contact my supervisor at 910-824-0470 or kim.sherry@dhhs.nc.gov If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: NATALIE M. POND Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 1/14/2026 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 1/14/2026 Age: From 4 To 4 Total Minutes: 105 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. Your program currently operates with a Three Star Family Child Care Home License issued July 13, 2020. Restrictions on the license include a first shift capacity of eight (8) children and a second shift capacity of eight (8) children ages 0 to 12, maximum of five (5) preschool children at any time, and serves no more than two (2) infants less than 12 months old. The last annual compliance visit was completed on April 24, 2025. The program's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. Prior to today’s visit, the program’s 18-month compliance history was ninety-two percent (92%) T. Best, owner, was present during the visit. There was one (1) child present. I observed you interacting with the child using a variety of materials in the child care space, including a counting game with ball toss, balancing Jenga blocks, building with interlocking blocks, and story time. There are no infants currently enrolled. Additional caregivers/substitutes have not been hired since the last visit. The previous Verification of Required Information form was reviewed and observed to be up to date. The required Health and Safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102 have been completed. The following violation(s) were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 929 Developmentally appropriate activities for the ages of children in care, were not provided as planned on the written schedule and activity plan. The posted plan was dated April 2025 and did not reflect current activities. G.S.110-91(12) & .1718(a)(6) 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 (18)-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five (75) percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation was corrected during the visit, so no further action is needed at this time. Technical Assistance: A violation was cited regarding the posted activity plan. Written activity plans are required for family child care homes and must be current. They may be separate from the daily schedule or combined into one document. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Today we reviewed the five domains in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development and how they relate to your daily activities. We discussed strategies for incorporating children’s interests into weekly planning and ways to keep your activity plan current while also being flexible to match the children’s developmental needs. I encourage you to review the NC Foundations book and if available, seek training for an additional review and refresher. For each group of children in care, the activity plan shall include activities intended to stimulate the following developmental domains, in accordance with North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development, available on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/providers/pv_foundations.asp: (1) emotional and social development; (2) health and physical development; (3) approaches to play and learning; (4) language development and communication; and (5) cognitive development. Training opportunities: Every Relationship Matters Created by the ITTI Care Project, Every Relationship Matters! Strengthening Relationships between Adults in Child Care Settings for Directors, Teachers and FCCH Professionals is a free 1.5-hour training that highlights how important all the relationships that surround young children are. Address the Stress ITTI Care Project’s Address the Stress training is now available. This free 1-hour Wellness Workshop teaches ways to reduce stress and take care of YOU! Both are now available online via DCDEE Moodle! Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition includes the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform. •Webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars were recorded and are posted on the QRIS Modernization page. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. Today, I completed a QRIS Conversation Template for your facility. You reported that your facility is choosing Pathway One, Program Assessment. A copy of this template is attached to this visit summary. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities in order to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to working with you on your pathway to the stars! At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me with questions or concerns at Natalie.m.pond@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-364-4898. If you need further assistance, please contact my supervisor at 910-824-0470 or kim.sherry@dhhs.nc.gov If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: ANDREA JOHNSON Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 4/24/2025 Number Present: 3 Completed Date: 4/24/2025 Age: From 4 To 7 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:35 AM Time Out: 12:30 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Your family childcare home currently operates with a 3-star license issued July 13, 2020. Due to travel time, I arrived at your facility at 9:35am. The facility’s last annual compliance visit was conducted on May 7, 2024. The family child care home’s compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was eighty-four (84%) percent as of April 24, 2025. Restrictions on the permit include 1st and 2nd shift care, a maximum of five (5) preschool children cared for at any time, and the facility serves no more than two (2) infants less than twelve (12) months old. You, Tatanisha Best, were present and available for consultation during the visit. Five (5) children between the ages of three (3) and seven (7) are enrolled and three (3) were present. All spaces used by the children, indoors and outdoors, were monitored. Ms. Best has a room set up exclusively for childcare. Upon arrival at your facility, you and the children were in the childcare space. The children were engaged in a variety of free play activities which included coloring, legos, a large gears manipulative cube, puzzles, books, blocks, and telephones. Routine toileting and handwashing procedures were monitored, and requirements were met. Today all children’s files were monitored. Health and safety trainings and the facility’s safe sleep policy were monitored, and requirements were met. Currently no infants were enrolled; therefore, safe sleep checks were not monitored. Today, you completed a copy of the FCCH Operator’s Statements of Responsibility and the Verification of Required Information for Operator and Additional Care 2024givers Form. You are required to complete ten (10) ongoing training hours per year, and you have completed ten (10). You completed Health and Safety trainings in May 2024; however, you did not complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment along with your five (5) year . Please forward a copy of this certificate with your compliance letter. Violation Number Comment Rule 1876 The operator did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information is current. The operator did not update the EPR Plan annually. .1714(e ) 2019 Operator did not complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within the required time frame. The operator did not complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment with 5-year health and safety ongoing training requirements. .1703(a)(5) 2030 Operator did not provide a written statement to parents regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction. Five (5) out of five (5) children records reviewed did not have written notifications to parents of the smoking and tobacco restriction. .1719(a)(11) 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Any violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before Friday, May 2, 2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Andrea Johnson, Child Care Consultant andrea.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov PO Box 904 Beaufort, NC 28516 252-732-0183 If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical Assistance: Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment: The link to complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training is below. https://www.positivechildhoodalliancenc.org/online-trainings/ Incident Log: You have not had any incidents at your facility, and you have the most recent copy of an DCDEE Incident Report Form; however, you do not have an incident log. Today, I showed you how to get an incident log off of the DCDEE website, and I provided you a copy. Smoking Policy: Childcare rule .0604(j) states that the operator shall notify the parent of each child enrolled in the center, in writing, of the smoking and tobacco restriction. EPR Plan: Following completion of the EPR in Child Care training, the trained staff member of the center, or the operator(s) of the family child care home, shall develop the EPR Plan within (4) four months. The EPR Plan addresses how a child care center, or a family child care home will respond to both natural and man-made disasters; to ensure the safety and protection of the children and staff. Natural and man-made disasters include but are not limited to the following: fire, tornado, flood, power failures, chemical spills, bomb threats, earthquakes, blizzards, nuclear disasters, or a dangerous person(s) in the vicinity. Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Template In collaboration with NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center, and DCDEE, the NC Emergency Management developed a standard EPR template for use (statewide) by licensed child care programs. The content for this template aligns with the EPR in Child Care training and the EPR rules. The Child Care Rules state that programs must use the EPR template provided by the Division which is available from the NC Risk Management Portal. which houses emergency planning tools for a variety of hazards. Accessing the EPR Template To access the EPR Template, the trained staff must have an NCID. You may register for an NCID at the following link: https://ncid.nc.gov/ If you need help getting an NCID, here are detailed instructions for obtaining an NCID. Once you get an NCID, you will access the EPR template on the NC Risk Management Portal website. Once you are on the NC Risk Management Portal website, use the ‘Getting Started’ instructions listed to the right-side of the page. EPR Plan - Technical Assistance & On-going Support For technical assistance and on-going support regarding emergency preparedness and response in child care, contact the North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center or 1-800-367-2229. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ Deadline Extended! Due to the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters, the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ enrollment deadline has been revised statewide, and schools and child care facilities that have not yet enrolled should complete the online process by May 31, 2025. The lead-based paint and asbestos enrollment surveys must be completed for ALL schools and child care facilities within school districts prior to receiving on-site inspections. Your facility’s status, according to the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website, shows the following: • Water Testing-Completed on April 26, 2023. Water testing must be completed every three (3) years. • Lead-Based Paint-Enrollment started but no results available • Asbestos-Enrollment started but no results available As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet the rules requirements (NC 10A NCAC 41C.1001-1007, NC 154A NCAC 18A.2816). Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids™ is designed to ensure facilities meet all requirements, receive direct support throughout the participation process, and have access to communication resources. This program is free, covers testing, inspections, and mitigation, and is intended to improve child-occupied facilities across North Carolina. The DCDEE has a new initiative – Natural Outdoor Learning Initiative. Through this initiative, we hope to increase knowledge and confidence for everyone in developing and implementing best practices to support the creation, programming, and safe use of naturalized outdoor spaces in child care facilities. You can learn more by visiting the NLI website, where you will also find many resources, including an updated Toolkit designed to help you enhance your outdoor learning environment. The downloadable NLI Toolkit is available at: https://naturalearning.org/preschool-outdoor-toolkit. Moodle Helpful Hints: 1. When on the Moodle homepage, scroll down past the three-square boxes to find directions to self-register for various training opportunities. 2. If you do not access a training opportunity for 150 days, the training will be suspended. To regain access, email a request to set status to “active” including the name of the training course to dcdee_moodle_support@dhhs.nc.gov. Send any questions about DCDEE Moodle trainings to dcdee_moodle_support@dhhs.nc.gov. Tips for MY NCID Users: Did you know that if you do not login to any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you every 6 months to login and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. Recalls: Fisher-Price, Brunch & Go Stroller Toys: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Fisher-Price-Recalls-Brunch-Go-Stroller-Toys-Due-to-Choking-Hazard?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=20250411 Fisher-Price, Tissue Box Toy sold with SnugaPuppy Activity Center: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Fisher-Price-Recalls-Tissue-Box-Toy-Sold-with-SnugaPuppy-Activity-Centers-Due-to-Choking-Hazard?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=20250411 Bebamour Baby Bath Seat: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Baby-Bath-Seats-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-to-Babies-from-Drowning-Hazard-Violation-of-Federal-Regulation-for-Infant-Bath-Seats-Sold-on-Bebamour-com-and-Amazon-com-by-Bebamour?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=20250411 Costway, Babyjoy Convertible High Chair Activity Center: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Costway-Recalls-Babyjoy-Convertible-High-Chair-Activity-Centers-Due-to-Entrapment-and-Serious-Injury-Hazards-Violation-of-Federal-Regulations-for-High-Chairs-and-Stationary-Activity-Centers?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=20250411 Reminders: For the latest information on childcare rules and regulations, please visit the Division of Child Development and Early Education's website at: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ At the completion of the visit, this visit summary and enrollment were reviewed with you, printed and signed. If you have any questions and/or concerns, you have my contact information. 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: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 12/4/2024 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 12/4/2024 Age: From 3 To 3 Total Minutes: 100 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 10:45 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 7, 2024. A fire inspection was conducted December 3, 2024 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 83%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Your mother, F. Best, whom you stated was visiting this week only, was also present during the visit today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising one child three years of age in the main child care space. You engaged him in activities including block building and drawing. You also assisted him and supervised him during toileting and hand washing routines as needed. Additional caregivers/substitutes have not been hired since the last visit. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 508 Operator did not successfully complete a first aid course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) First aid training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification. The operator's First Aid certification expired November 30, 2024. .1703(a)(2) 511 Operator did not successfully complete a CPR course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) CPR training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification. The operator's CPR certification expired November 30, 2024. .1703(a)(3) 1306 Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training. The operator's ITS-SIDS certification expired June 2, 2024 and was not renewed until August 1, 2024. .1703(a)(4) 1544 The child care operator did not comply with all State laws, federal laws and/or local ordinances that pertain to child health, safety, and welfare, as required by General Statute 110-91. The operator's previous fire inspection, which is required by Columbus County, was conducted June 7, 2023, and the next one was not conducted until December 3, 2024, more than 12 months later. GS 110-91 A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by December 18, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited For the health and safety of the children, you must ensure you never let CPR, First Aid or ITS-SIDS certifications lapse. As you are the only caregiver, you are responsible for providing first aid or lifesaving measures if needed, as well as reducing the risk of ITS-SIDS with infants, and you must have current certifications to ensure you are trained in proper procedures. Technical assistance was provided during the Annual Compliance visit regarding using the FCCH Verification of Required Information for Operators and Caregivers form to track deadlines for trainings and other requirements. Today you stated you didn’t realize some deadlines had passed, and you would start putting dates on a calendar to help you keep track. I suggested you also note dates which are two to three months out depending on the requirement to remind you to start looking for training classes or to request your fire inspection, for example. We reviewed updated deadlines together and I showed you where to find each one on the form. Remember to send copies of your CPR and First Aid certifications upon receipt after you attend the classes on December 11, 2024. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided during the Routine Unannounced visit conducted October 31, 2023 regarding your daily schedule and nutrition requirements. As discussed then and again today, you must serve meals or snacks every four hours to children who are 15 months of age and older. Today we discussed the children’s current schedules and I assisted you in figuring out how to change your scheduled meal and snack times to maintain compliance. You decided on 6:00am for breakfast, 10:00am for snack and 12:30pm for lunch, since children usually arrive early and are typically gone by 4:30pm. We also discussed USDA Meal Patterns, which require you to serve certain components with each meal or snack, and copies of forms you can use to help with this were emailed to you today. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding criminal background check requirements for visiting family members. As discussed, if your mother ends up needing to stay with you longer than five days, she will need to obtain an Individual NCID, complete the criminal background check process through the applicant portal, and a valid qualification letter must remain on file. You may use the instructions emailed today if needed. Rated License Information It was verified today that you are maintaining compliance with star rated license standards earned during your last reassessment. As discussed today, the “hold harmless” state of three-year reassessments was extended to allow time for new rules determining how stars are earned to be written and implemented. This means a reassessment will not be conducted according to the timelines previously discussed, however you may request one voluntarily at any time. New rules are expected to include different pathways towards earning stars, so I urge you to review any information shared to prepare for the changes. Communications will be sent via email directly from DCDEE, and I will continue to keep you informed. As you have previously had the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) conducted as part of your reassessment process, you may wish to review information on the new version of this tool, the FCCERS-3, since it will be used after February 1, 2025 for operators who choose the “program assessment” pathway. You may visit https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/ for free trainings and more information on the FCCERS-3. Reminders The reporting period for child care immunizations is now open. Reporting for 2024-2025 has been extended due to Hurricane Helene. Children have a grace period from requirements until November 30, 2024, and reports will be accepted until January 15, 2025. Use this link to submit your report: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7955242/2024-2025-Child-Care-Immunization-Report. Send any questions regarding child care immunization reporting to immunization.reports@dhhs.nc.gov. Keep an eye on your inbox for the 2024 annual license fee invoice. Online payments will be due by December 31, 2024. The amount of your annual license fee is based on the licensed capacity printed on your license as of October 1, 2024, not the number of children enrolled at your facility. Your criminal records qualification letter expires January 8, 2025. Today I urged you to submit information for requalification and obtain electronic fingerprints to avoid any potential delays. Please be aware if your letter expires you will not be able to operate until a new one is issued. You may access the new portal at https://ncabcms.nc.gov/DCDEE/Applicant/. Please let me know if you need any assistance. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 12/4/2024 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 12/4/2024 Age: From 3 To 3 Total Minutes: 100 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 10:45 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 7, 2024. A fire inspection was conducted December 3, 2024 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 83%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Your mother, F. Best, whom you stated was visiting this week only, was also present during the visit today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising one child three years of age in the main child care space. You engaged him in activities including block building and drawing. You also assisted him and supervised him during toileting and hand washing routines as needed. Additional caregivers/substitutes have not been hired since the last visit. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 508 Operator did not successfully complete a first aid course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) First aid training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification. The operator's First Aid certification expired November 30, 2024. .1703(a)(2) 511 Operator did not successfully complete a CPR course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) CPR training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification. The operator's CPR certification expired November 30, 2024. .1703(a)(3) 1306 Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training. The operator's ITS-SIDS certification expired June 2, 2024 and was not renewed until August 1, 2024. .1703(a)(4) 1544 The child care operator did not comply with all State laws, federal laws and/or local ordinances that pertain to child health, safety, and welfare, as required by General Statute 110-91. The operator's previous fire inspection, which is required by Columbus County, was conducted June 7, 2023, and the next one was not conducted until December 3, 2024, more than 12 months later. GS 110-91 A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by December 18, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited For the health and safety of the children, you must ensure you never let CPR, First Aid or ITS-SIDS certifications lapse. As you are the only caregiver, you are responsible for providing first aid or lifesaving measures if needed, as well as reducing the risk of ITS-SIDS with infants, and you must have current certifications to ensure you are trained in proper procedures. Technical assistance was provided during the Annual Compliance visit regarding using the FCCH Verification of Required Information for Operators and Caregivers form to track deadlines for trainings and other requirements. Today you stated you didn’t realize some deadlines had passed, and you would start putting dates on a calendar to help you keep track. I suggested you also note dates which are two to three months out depending on the requirement to remind you to start looking for training classes or to request your fire inspection, for example. We reviewed updated deadlines together and I showed you where to find each one on the form. Remember to send copies of your CPR and First Aid certifications upon receipt after you attend the classes on December 11, 2024. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided during the Routine Unannounced visit conducted October 31, 2023 regarding your daily schedule and nutrition requirements. As discussed then and again today, you must serve meals or snacks every four hours to children who are 15 months of age and older. Today we discussed the children’s current schedules and I assisted you in figuring out how to change your scheduled meal and snack times to maintain compliance. You decided on 6:00am for breakfast, 10:00am for snack and 12:30pm for lunch, since children usually arrive early and are typically gone by 4:30pm. We also discussed USDA Meal Patterns, which require you to serve certain components with each meal or snack, and copies of forms you can use to help with this were emailed to you today. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding criminal background check requirements for visiting family members. As discussed, if your mother ends up needing to stay with you longer than five days, she will need to obtain an Individual NCID, complete the criminal background check process through the applicant portal, and a valid qualification letter must remain on file. You may use the instructions emailed today if needed. Rated License Information It was verified today that you are maintaining compliance with star rated license standards earned during your last reassessment. As discussed today, the “hold harmless” state of three-year reassessments was extended to allow time for new rules determining how stars are earned to be written and implemented. This means a reassessment will not be conducted according to the timelines previously discussed, however you may request one voluntarily at any time. New rules are expected to include different pathways towards earning stars, so I urge you to review any information shared to prepare for the changes. Communications will be sent via email directly from DCDEE, and I will continue to keep you informed. As you have previously had the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) conducted as part of your reassessment process, you may wish to review information on the new version of this tool, the FCCERS-3, since it will be used after February 1, 2025 for operators who choose the “program assessment” pathway. You may visit https://ncrlap.org/Resources/pages/get-ready-for-3s/ for free trainings and more information on the FCCERS-3. Reminders The reporting period for child care immunizations is now open. Reporting for 2024-2025 has been extended due to Hurricane Helene. Children have a grace period from requirements until November 30, 2024, and reports will be accepted until January 15, 2025. Use this link to submit your report: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7955242/2024-2025-Child-Care-Immunization-Report. Send any questions regarding child care immunization reporting to immunization.reports@dhhs.nc.gov. Keep an eye on your inbox for the 2024 annual license fee invoice. Online payments will be due by December 31, 2024. The amount of your annual license fee is based on the licensed capacity printed on your license as of October 1, 2024, not the number of children enrolled at your facility. Your criminal records qualification letter expires January 8, 2025. Today I urged you to submit information for requalification and obtain electronic fingerprints to avoid any potential delays. Please be aware if your letter expires you will not be able to operate until a new one is issued. You may access the new portal at https://ncabcms.nc.gov/DCDEE/Applicant/. Please let me know if you need any assistance. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1703 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 5/7/2024 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 5/7/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 23, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted June 7, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 84%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Due to travel time, this visit began after 9:00 A.M. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising four children one through four years of age in the main child care space. One child was observed coloring with crayons at the small picnic table, while the other children played freely with textured blocks and musical instruments. You engaged with the children as they played and asked them questions about what they were doing. At 9:50 A.M., you took the children outdoors to your yard for gross motor play. Children were observed playing with balls, hula hoops and riding toys. At 10:00 A.M., you brought the children inside and assisted them with hand washing prior to engaging them in more free choice activities. Lunch planned for the day consisted of hot dogs, whole grain buns, baked beans, grapes and milk. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2019 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). During the last Annual Compliance visit, it was verified that you had repeated six topics, and we reviewed the ones remaining to be repeated by June 2024 together. Proof of completion of those remaining topics was not observed today. We reviewed the checklist again today, and discussed that you still need to repeat the following topics: medication administration, prevention and response to emergencies including allergic reactions, handling and storage of bio contaminants, and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: 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. Two aerosol cans of air freshener were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the kitchen. REPEATED .1719 (a)(7) 1705 Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted with the facility's license in a prominent place in the home. An updated version of the Summary of NC Child Care Law was not posted. The version posted was from 2011. GS 110-102 1718 The written plan of care was not given and explained to parents of children in care on or before the first day the child attended the home. Parents did not sign a statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the plan. Parents did not give written permission for their child to be transported by the operator for specific routine tasks that are included on the written schedule. The signed written plan of care was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1712(e )(6) 1920 Indoor and outdoor area was not checked daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment, and animal waste. Outdoors, a large crack was observed in one of the ladder rungs on the climber used by preschool children. Indoors, a light switch in the bathroom used by children was observed separated from the wall, exposing electrical wires. .1719(a)(17) 1964 Activity plan did not reflect that children have at least four different activities daily, at least one of which is outdoors. The activity plan observed did not have at least four different activities documented daily. 10A NCAC 09 .1718(a)(8)(C)(i-v) 2031 Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy. The signed acknowledgment of this policy was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1726(b)&(c) A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by May 21, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and the Routine Unannounced visit October 31, 2023 regarding storage of potentially hazardous materials. As discussed again today, for the safety of the children, if you do not have access to locked storage in the spaces used for child care, you must ensure items in aerosol cans are locked in your laundry room or bedroom, which are not used for child care. Today I strongly urged you again to conduct a “safety sweep” of the areas used for child care each morning before children arrive to ensure all potentially hazardous items have been moved to appropriate storage. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1719(a)(17) states that operators must check the indoor and outdoor environment daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment and animal waste. The operator shall keep all areas used by the children, indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children. Before children enter the indoor or outdoor area each day, you must take time to observe and ensure there are no safety hazards or broken equipment in the area. If there are any hazards, they must be addressed before children can enter the area. Today I suggested you use a sturdy duct tape like “Gorilla” tape to cover the cracked plastic on the ladder rung. I also suggested you keep an eye on the crack to ensure it doesn’t get bigger, causing the ladder to become unsafe, at which point you must make it inaccessible or remove it from the outdoor area. You stated you had a friend who would be coming to repair the light switch in the bathroom. Remember to send pictures of repairs to verify compliance. During the Routine Unannounced visit, I reminded you to update your posted Summary of the Child Care Law, but an old version was still observed today. I showed you where to find the new version on the DCDEE website and urged you to print and post one as soon as you can. I also urged you to ensure you are giving parents the updated version so they all have access to the most accurate information regarding the laws. Also during the Routine Unannounced visit, I advised you to review sample activity plans from the DCDEE website and choose one which better fits the age groups you serve. Today I observed the sample preschool activity plan, however the four different activity options were not documented. Technical assistance was provided regarding how to complete the activity plans and ensure you are aligning them with the developmental domains according to the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and again today regarding children’s records. I strongly urged you to review children’s files using the Child File Checklist to ensure all required documents are on file. I also urged you to review the packet of information you give to new parents when they enroll their children, and to thoroughly review the documentation when they turn it in to you to make sure they have given you all of it back. Remember to submit copies of the signed Written Plan of Care and the signed Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policies for the Frink children with your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding repetition of Health and Safety training and completion of on-going training hours. As discussed, you must repeat four of the Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also renew your ITS-SIDS certification by June 2, 2024 since you are still licensed to care for infants. In addition, you have not completed any training hours this compliance year, so 10 hours must be completed by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. Once you complete the Health and Safety topics and ITS-SIDS, you should have 8 hours of training, so you will only need 2 more to meet your annual requirement. Please see below for Moodle instructions: 1. Visit https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/, and log-in with your NCID and password. The log-in is in the upper right corner of the screen. 2. After log-in, scroll to the bottom of the page. In the ‘Search courses’ box, you should type in the short name “Year 2024 CCDF” and then click go. You should not register for prior year courses as they are no longer available. As discussed, you will need to also search “medication in child care” the same way to access this topic, as it is on a separate page from the rest of the topics. 3. After completing the course search, you should be able to register for the courses you need. You may need to use the “ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS” for step-by-step instructions. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment may be taken at www.preventchildabusenc.org. You may also take ITS-SIDS virtually or in person, however the Moodle module for ITS-SIDS will not count. In the future, I urge you to take workshops on a more regular basis rather than waiting until the last minute to complete your training hours. Technical assistance was provided today on how to complete and use the Verification of Required Information form as tracking tool for program and caregiver requirements. As discussed, you should note important dates such as fire inspections, well water analysis, and trainings, and use a calendar to track dates to ensure requirements are completed on time. Rated License Information As discussed during the October 31, 2023 Routine Unannounced visit, your facility was placed into “Cohort 2” in the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. Placement in this cohort means you will have from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to plan and prepare for your reassessment, with your reassessment being due between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Today I reviewed with you that you will have the option to request a Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) during your planning year. You may either use the score towards your full reassessment, or use it as a learning tool to help you do better on the one required during your reassessment year. I also reminded you that if you do not wish to have the FCCERS-R conducted, you will need to successfully complete at least six semester hours of college coursework in child development or early childhood education to increase from 3 to 4 points in Education to keep your Three Star rating. Remember, you will still need to complete a three-month self-study using the FCCERS-R to be eligible for 2 points in Program Standards. As you approach your planning year, you may wish to review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact the Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R for assistance with completion of the self-study component or FCCERS-R preparation. I am also available to assist you upon request. It was verified today that you are currently maintaining compliance with Education standards and your Quality point. Reminders You must send verification of completion of 10 on-going training hours by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must also schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by June 7, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. You must complete the repetition of all Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also ensure you renew your ITS-SIDS certification before June 2, 2024. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, 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. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. It’s time to enroll your facility in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .1718 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 5/7/2024 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 5/7/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 23, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted June 7, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 84%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Due to travel time, this visit began after 9:00 A.M. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising four children one through four years of age in the main child care space. One child was observed coloring with crayons at the small picnic table, while the other children played freely with textured blocks and musical instruments. You engaged with the children as they played and asked them questions about what they were doing. At 9:50 A.M., you took the children outdoors to your yard for gross motor play. Children were observed playing with balls, hula hoops and riding toys. At 10:00 A.M., you brought the children inside and assisted them with hand washing prior to engaging them in more free choice activities. Lunch planned for the day consisted of hot dogs, whole grain buns, baked beans, grapes and milk. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2019 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). During the last Annual Compliance visit, it was verified that you had repeated six topics, and we reviewed the ones remaining to be repeated by June 2024 together. Proof of completion of those remaining topics was not observed today. We reviewed the checklist again today, and discussed that you still need to repeat the following topics: medication administration, prevention and response to emergencies including allergic reactions, handling and storage of bio contaminants, and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: 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. Two aerosol cans of air freshener were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the kitchen. REPEATED .1719 (a)(7) 1705 Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted with the facility's license in a prominent place in the home. An updated version of the Summary of NC Child Care Law was not posted. The version posted was from 2011. GS 110-102 1718 The written plan of care was not given and explained to parents of children in care on or before the first day the child attended the home. Parents did not sign a statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the plan. Parents did not give written permission for their child to be transported by the operator for specific routine tasks that are included on the written schedule. The signed written plan of care was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1712(e )(6) 1920 Indoor and outdoor area was not checked daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment, and animal waste. Outdoors, a large crack was observed in one of the ladder rungs on the climber used by preschool children. Indoors, a light switch in the bathroom used by children was observed separated from the wall, exposing electrical wires. .1719(a)(17) 1964 Activity plan did not reflect that children have at least four different activities daily, at least one of which is outdoors. The activity plan observed did not have at least four different activities documented daily. 10A NCAC 09 .1718(a)(8)(C)(i-v) 2031 Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy. The signed acknowledgment of this policy was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1726(b)&(c) A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by May 21, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and the Routine Unannounced visit October 31, 2023 regarding storage of potentially hazardous materials. As discussed again today, for the safety of the children, if you do not have access to locked storage in the spaces used for child care, you must ensure items in aerosol cans are locked in your laundry room or bedroom, which are not used for child care. Today I strongly urged you again to conduct a “safety sweep” of the areas used for child care each morning before children arrive to ensure all potentially hazardous items have been moved to appropriate storage. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1719(a)(17) states that operators must check the indoor and outdoor environment daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment and animal waste. The operator shall keep all areas used by the children, indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children. Before children enter the indoor or outdoor area each day, you must take time to observe and ensure there are no safety hazards or broken equipment in the area. If there are any hazards, they must be addressed before children can enter the area. Today I suggested you use a sturdy duct tape like “Gorilla” tape to cover the cracked plastic on the ladder rung. I also suggested you keep an eye on the crack to ensure it doesn’t get bigger, causing the ladder to become unsafe, at which point you must make it inaccessible or remove it from the outdoor area. You stated you had a friend who would be coming to repair the light switch in the bathroom. Remember to send pictures of repairs to verify compliance. During the Routine Unannounced visit, I reminded you to update your posted Summary of the Child Care Law, but an old version was still observed today. I showed you where to find the new version on the DCDEE website and urged you to print and post one as soon as you can. I also urged you to ensure you are giving parents the updated version so they all have access to the most accurate information regarding the laws. Also during the Routine Unannounced visit, I advised you to review sample activity plans from the DCDEE website and choose one which better fits the age groups you serve. Today I observed the sample preschool activity plan, however the four different activity options were not documented. Technical assistance was provided regarding how to complete the activity plans and ensure you are aligning them with the developmental domains according to the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and again today regarding children’s records. I strongly urged you to review children’s files using the Child File Checklist to ensure all required documents are on file. I also urged you to review the packet of information you give to new parents when they enroll their children, and to thoroughly review the documentation when they turn it in to you to make sure they have given you all of it back. Remember to submit copies of the signed Written Plan of Care and the signed Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policies for the Frink children with your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding repetition of Health and Safety training and completion of on-going training hours. As discussed, you must repeat four of the Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also renew your ITS-SIDS certification by June 2, 2024 since you are still licensed to care for infants. In addition, you have not completed any training hours this compliance year, so 10 hours must be completed by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. Once you complete the Health and Safety topics and ITS-SIDS, you should have 8 hours of training, so you will only need 2 more to meet your annual requirement. Please see below for Moodle instructions: 1. Visit https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/, and log-in with your NCID and password. The log-in is in the upper right corner of the screen. 2. After log-in, scroll to the bottom of the page. In the ‘Search courses’ box, you should type in the short name “Year 2024 CCDF” and then click go. You should not register for prior year courses as they are no longer available. As discussed, you will need to also search “medication in child care” the same way to access this topic, as it is on a separate page from the rest of the topics. 3. After completing the course search, you should be able to register for the courses you need. You may need to use the “ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS” for step-by-step instructions. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment may be taken at www.preventchildabusenc.org. You may also take ITS-SIDS virtually or in person, however the Moodle module for ITS-SIDS will not count. In the future, I urge you to take workshops on a more regular basis rather than waiting until the last minute to complete your training hours. Technical assistance was provided today on how to complete and use the Verification of Required Information form as tracking tool for program and caregiver requirements. As discussed, you should note important dates such as fire inspections, well water analysis, and trainings, and use a calendar to track dates to ensure requirements are completed on time. Rated License Information As discussed during the October 31, 2023 Routine Unannounced visit, your facility was placed into “Cohort 2” in the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. Placement in this cohort means you will have from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to plan and prepare for your reassessment, with your reassessment being due between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Today I reviewed with you that you will have the option to request a Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) during your planning year. You may either use the score towards your full reassessment, or use it as a learning tool to help you do better on the one required during your reassessment year. I also reminded you that if you do not wish to have the FCCERS-R conducted, you will need to successfully complete at least six semester hours of college coursework in child development or early childhood education to increase from 3 to 4 points in Education to keep your Three Star rating. Remember, you will still need to complete a three-month self-study using the FCCERS-R to be eligible for 2 points in Program Standards. As you approach your planning year, you may wish to review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact the Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R for assistance with completion of the self-study component or FCCERS-R preparation. I am also available to assist you upon request. It was verified today that you are currently maintaining compliance with Education standards and your Quality point. Reminders You must send verification of completion of 10 on-going training hours by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must also schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by June 7, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. You must complete the repetition of all Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also ensure you renew your ITS-SIDS certification before June 2, 2024. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, 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. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. It’s time to enroll your facility in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .1719 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 5/7/2024 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 5/7/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 23, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted June 7, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 84%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Due to travel time, this visit began after 9:00 A.M. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising four children one through four years of age in the main child care space. One child was observed coloring with crayons at the small picnic table, while the other children played freely with textured blocks and musical instruments. You engaged with the children as they played and asked them questions about what they were doing. At 9:50 A.M., you took the children outdoors to your yard for gross motor play. Children were observed playing with balls, hula hoops and riding toys. At 10:00 A.M., you brought the children inside and assisted them with hand washing prior to engaging them in more free choice activities. Lunch planned for the day consisted of hot dogs, whole grain buns, baked beans, grapes and milk. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2019 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). During the last Annual Compliance visit, it was verified that you had repeated six topics, and we reviewed the ones remaining to be repeated by June 2024 together. Proof of completion of those remaining topics was not observed today. We reviewed the checklist again today, and discussed that you still need to repeat the following topics: medication administration, prevention and response to emergencies including allergic reactions, handling and storage of bio contaminants, and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: 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. Two aerosol cans of air freshener were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the kitchen. REPEATED .1719 (a)(7) 1705 Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted with the facility's license in a prominent place in the home. An updated version of the Summary of NC Child Care Law was not posted. The version posted was from 2011. GS 110-102 1718 The written plan of care was not given and explained to parents of children in care on or before the first day the child attended the home. Parents did not sign a statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the plan. Parents did not give written permission for their child to be transported by the operator for specific routine tasks that are included on the written schedule. The signed written plan of care was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1712(e )(6) 1920 Indoor and outdoor area was not checked daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment, and animal waste. Outdoors, a large crack was observed in one of the ladder rungs on the climber used by preschool children. Indoors, a light switch in the bathroom used by children was observed separated from the wall, exposing electrical wires. .1719(a)(17) 1964 Activity plan did not reflect that children have at least four different activities daily, at least one of which is outdoors. The activity plan observed did not have at least four different activities documented daily. 10A NCAC 09 .1718(a)(8)(C)(i-v) 2031 Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy. The signed acknowledgment of this policy was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1726(b)&(c) A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by May 21, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and the Routine Unannounced visit October 31, 2023 regarding storage of potentially hazardous materials. As discussed again today, for the safety of the children, if you do not have access to locked storage in the spaces used for child care, you must ensure items in aerosol cans are locked in your laundry room or bedroom, which are not used for child care. Today I strongly urged you again to conduct a “safety sweep” of the areas used for child care each morning before children arrive to ensure all potentially hazardous items have been moved to appropriate storage. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1719(a)(17) states that operators must check the indoor and outdoor environment daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment and animal waste. The operator shall keep all areas used by the children, indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children. Before children enter the indoor or outdoor area each day, you must take time to observe and ensure there are no safety hazards or broken equipment in the area. If there are any hazards, they must be addressed before children can enter the area. Today I suggested you use a sturdy duct tape like “Gorilla” tape to cover the cracked plastic on the ladder rung. I also suggested you keep an eye on the crack to ensure it doesn’t get bigger, causing the ladder to become unsafe, at which point you must make it inaccessible or remove it from the outdoor area. You stated you had a friend who would be coming to repair the light switch in the bathroom. Remember to send pictures of repairs to verify compliance. During the Routine Unannounced visit, I reminded you to update your posted Summary of the Child Care Law, but an old version was still observed today. I showed you where to find the new version on the DCDEE website and urged you to print and post one as soon as you can. I also urged you to ensure you are giving parents the updated version so they all have access to the most accurate information regarding the laws. Also during the Routine Unannounced visit, I advised you to review sample activity plans from the DCDEE website and choose one which better fits the age groups you serve. Today I observed the sample preschool activity plan, however the four different activity options were not documented. Technical assistance was provided regarding how to complete the activity plans and ensure you are aligning them with the developmental domains according to the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and again today regarding children’s records. I strongly urged you to review children’s files using the Child File Checklist to ensure all required documents are on file. I also urged you to review the packet of information you give to new parents when they enroll their children, and to thoroughly review the documentation when they turn it in to you to make sure they have given you all of it back. Remember to submit copies of the signed Written Plan of Care and the signed Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policies for the Frink children with your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding repetition of Health and Safety training and completion of on-going training hours. As discussed, you must repeat four of the Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also renew your ITS-SIDS certification by June 2, 2024 since you are still licensed to care for infants. In addition, you have not completed any training hours this compliance year, so 10 hours must be completed by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. Once you complete the Health and Safety topics and ITS-SIDS, you should have 8 hours of training, so you will only need 2 more to meet your annual requirement. Please see below for Moodle instructions: 1. Visit https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/, and log-in with your NCID and password. The log-in is in the upper right corner of the screen. 2. After log-in, scroll to the bottom of the page. In the ‘Search courses’ box, you should type in the short name “Year 2024 CCDF” and then click go. You should not register for prior year courses as they are no longer available. As discussed, you will need to also search “medication in child care” the same way to access this topic, as it is on a separate page from the rest of the topics. 3. After completing the course search, you should be able to register for the courses you need. You may need to use the “ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS” for step-by-step instructions. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment may be taken at www.preventchildabusenc.org. You may also take ITS-SIDS virtually or in person, however the Moodle module for ITS-SIDS will not count. In the future, I urge you to take workshops on a more regular basis rather than waiting until the last minute to complete your training hours. Technical assistance was provided today on how to complete and use the Verification of Required Information form as tracking tool for program and caregiver requirements. As discussed, you should note important dates such as fire inspections, well water analysis, and trainings, and use a calendar to track dates to ensure requirements are completed on time. Rated License Information As discussed during the October 31, 2023 Routine Unannounced visit, your facility was placed into “Cohort 2” in the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. Placement in this cohort means you will have from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to plan and prepare for your reassessment, with your reassessment being due between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Today I reviewed with you that you will have the option to request a Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) during your planning year. You may either use the score towards your full reassessment, or use it as a learning tool to help you do better on the one required during your reassessment year. I also reminded you that if you do not wish to have the FCCERS-R conducted, you will need to successfully complete at least six semester hours of college coursework in child development or early childhood education to increase from 3 to 4 points in Education to keep your Three Star rating. Remember, you will still need to complete a three-month self-study using the FCCERS-R to be eligible for 2 points in Program Standards. As you approach your planning year, you may wish to review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact the Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R for assistance with completion of the self-study component or FCCERS-R preparation. I am also available to assist you upon request. It was verified today that you are currently maintaining compliance with Education standards and your Quality point. Reminders You must send verification of completion of 10 on-going training hours by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must also schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by June 7, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. You must complete the repetition of all Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also ensure you renew your ITS-SIDS certification before June 2, 2024. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, 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. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. It’s time to enroll your facility in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-102 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 5/7/2024 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 5/7/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 23, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted June 7, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 84%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Due to travel time, this visit began after 9:00 A.M. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising four children one through four years of age in the main child care space. One child was observed coloring with crayons at the small picnic table, while the other children played freely with textured blocks and musical instruments. You engaged with the children as they played and asked them questions about what they were doing. At 9:50 A.M., you took the children outdoors to your yard for gross motor play. Children were observed playing with balls, hula hoops and riding toys. At 10:00 A.M., you brought the children inside and assisted them with hand washing prior to engaging them in more free choice activities. Lunch planned for the day consisted of hot dogs, whole grain buns, baked beans, grapes and milk. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2019 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). During the last Annual Compliance visit, it was verified that you had repeated six topics, and we reviewed the ones remaining to be repeated by June 2024 together. Proof of completion of those remaining topics was not observed today. We reviewed the checklist again today, and discussed that you still need to repeat the following topics: medication administration, prevention and response to emergencies including allergic reactions, handling and storage of bio contaminants, and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: 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. Two aerosol cans of air freshener were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the kitchen. REPEATED .1719 (a)(7) 1705 Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted with the facility's license in a prominent place in the home. An updated version of the Summary of NC Child Care Law was not posted. The version posted was from 2011. GS 110-102 1718 The written plan of care was not given and explained to parents of children in care on or before the first day the child attended the home. Parents did not sign a statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the plan. Parents did not give written permission for their child to be transported by the operator for specific routine tasks that are included on the written schedule. The signed written plan of care was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1712(e )(6) 1920 Indoor and outdoor area was not checked daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment, and animal waste. Outdoors, a large crack was observed in one of the ladder rungs on the climber used by preschool children. Indoors, a light switch in the bathroom used by children was observed separated from the wall, exposing electrical wires. .1719(a)(17) 1964 Activity plan did not reflect that children have at least four different activities daily, at least one of which is outdoors. The activity plan observed did not have at least four different activities documented daily. 10A NCAC 09 .1718(a)(8)(C)(i-v) 2031 Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy. The signed acknowledgment of this policy was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1726(b)&(c) A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by May 21, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and the Routine Unannounced visit October 31, 2023 regarding storage of potentially hazardous materials. As discussed again today, for the safety of the children, if you do not have access to locked storage in the spaces used for child care, you must ensure items in aerosol cans are locked in your laundry room or bedroom, which are not used for child care. Today I strongly urged you again to conduct a “safety sweep” of the areas used for child care each morning before children arrive to ensure all potentially hazardous items have been moved to appropriate storage. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1719(a)(17) states that operators must check the indoor and outdoor environment daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment and animal waste. The operator shall keep all areas used by the children, indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children. Before children enter the indoor or outdoor area each day, you must take time to observe and ensure there are no safety hazards or broken equipment in the area. If there are any hazards, they must be addressed before children can enter the area. Today I suggested you use a sturdy duct tape like “Gorilla” tape to cover the cracked plastic on the ladder rung. I also suggested you keep an eye on the crack to ensure it doesn’t get bigger, causing the ladder to become unsafe, at which point you must make it inaccessible or remove it from the outdoor area. You stated you had a friend who would be coming to repair the light switch in the bathroom. Remember to send pictures of repairs to verify compliance. During the Routine Unannounced visit, I reminded you to update your posted Summary of the Child Care Law, but an old version was still observed today. I showed you where to find the new version on the DCDEE website and urged you to print and post one as soon as you can. I also urged you to ensure you are giving parents the updated version so they all have access to the most accurate information regarding the laws. Also during the Routine Unannounced visit, I advised you to review sample activity plans from the DCDEE website and choose one which better fits the age groups you serve. Today I observed the sample preschool activity plan, however the four different activity options were not documented. Technical assistance was provided regarding how to complete the activity plans and ensure you are aligning them with the developmental domains according to the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and again today regarding children’s records. I strongly urged you to review children’s files using the Child File Checklist to ensure all required documents are on file. I also urged you to review the packet of information you give to new parents when they enroll their children, and to thoroughly review the documentation when they turn it in to you to make sure they have given you all of it back. Remember to submit copies of the signed Written Plan of Care and the signed Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policies for the Frink children with your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding repetition of Health and Safety training and completion of on-going training hours. As discussed, you must repeat four of the Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also renew your ITS-SIDS certification by June 2, 2024 since you are still licensed to care for infants. In addition, you have not completed any training hours this compliance year, so 10 hours must be completed by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. Once you complete the Health and Safety topics and ITS-SIDS, you should have 8 hours of training, so you will only need 2 more to meet your annual requirement. Please see below for Moodle instructions: 1. Visit https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/, and log-in with your NCID and password. The log-in is in the upper right corner of the screen. 2. After log-in, scroll to the bottom of the page. In the ‘Search courses’ box, you should type in the short name “Year 2024 CCDF” and then click go. You should not register for prior year courses as they are no longer available. As discussed, you will need to also search “medication in child care” the same way to access this topic, as it is on a separate page from the rest of the topics. 3. After completing the course search, you should be able to register for the courses you need. You may need to use the “ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS” for step-by-step instructions. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment may be taken at www.preventchildabusenc.org. You may also take ITS-SIDS virtually or in person, however the Moodle module for ITS-SIDS will not count. In the future, I urge you to take workshops on a more regular basis rather than waiting until the last minute to complete your training hours. Technical assistance was provided today on how to complete and use the Verification of Required Information form as tracking tool for program and caregiver requirements. As discussed, you should note important dates such as fire inspections, well water analysis, and trainings, and use a calendar to track dates to ensure requirements are completed on time. Rated License Information As discussed during the October 31, 2023 Routine Unannounced visit, your facility was placed into “Cohort 2” in the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. Placement in this cohort means you will have from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to plan and prepare for your reassessment, with your reassessment being due between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Today I reviewed with you that you will have the option to request a Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) during your planning year. You may either use the score towards your full reassessment, or use it as a learning tool to help you do better on the one required during your reassessment year. I also reminded you that if you do not wish to have the FCCERS-R conducted, you will need to successfully complete at least six semester hours of college coursework in child development or early childhood education to increase from 3 to 4 points in Education to keep your Three Star rating. Remember, you will still need to complete a three-month self-study using the FCCERS-R to be eligible for 2 points in Program Standards. As you approach your planning year, you may wish to review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact the Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R for assistance with completion of the self-study component or FCCERS-R preparation. I am also available to assist you upon request. It was verified today that you are currently maintaining compliance with Education standards and your Quality point. Reminders You must send verification of completion of 10 on-going training hours by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must also schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by June 7, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. You must complete the repetition of all Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also ensure you renew your ITS-SIDS certification before June 2, 2024. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, 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. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. It’s time to enroll your facility in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 5/7/2024 Number Present: 4 Completed Date: 5/7/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:20 AM Time Out: 12:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 23, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted June 7, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 84%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Due to travel time, this visit began after 9:00 A.M. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising four children one through four years of age in the main child care space. One child was observed coloring with crayons at the small picnic table, while the other children played freely with textured blocks and musical instruments. You engaged with the children as they played and asked them questions about what they were doing. At 9:50 A.M., you took the children outdoors to your yard for gross motor play. Children were observed playing with balls, hula hoops and riding toys. At 10:00 A.M., you brought the children inside and assisted them with hand washing prior to engaging them in more free choice activities. Lunch planned for the day consisted of hot dogs, whole grain buns, baked beans, grapes and milk. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2019 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). During the last Annual Compliance visit, it was verified that you had repeated six topics, and we reviewed the ones remaining to be repeated by June 2024 together. Proof of completion of those remaining topics was not observed today. We reviewed the checklist again today, and discussed that you still need to repeat the following topics: medication administration, prevention and response to emergencies including allergic reactions, handling and storage of bio contaminants, and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: 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. Two aerosol cans of air freshener were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the kitchen. REPEATED .1719 (a)(7) 1705 Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted with the facility's license in a prominent place in the home. An updated version of the Summary of NC Child Care Law was not posted. The version posted was from 2011. GS 110-102 1718 The written plan of care was not given and explained to parents of children in care on or before the first day the child attended the home. Parents did not sign a statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the plan. Parents did not give written permission for their child to be transported by the operator for specific routine tasks that are included on the written schedule. The signed written plan of care was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1712(e )(6) 1920 Indoor and outdoor area was not checked daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment, and animal waste. Outdoors, a large crack was observed in one of the ladder rungs on the climber used by preschool children. Indoors, a light switch in the bathroom used by children was observed separated from the wall, exposing electrical wires. .1719(a)(17) 1964 Activity plan did not reflect that children have at least four different activities daily, at least one of which is outdoors. The activity plan observed did not have at least four different activities documented daily. 10A NCAC 09 .1718(a)(8)(C)(i-v) 2031 Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy. The signed acknowledgment of this policy was not on file for two children today. REPEATED .1726(b)&(c) A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by May 21, 2024. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and the Routine Unannounced visit October 31, 2023 regarding storage of potentially hazardous materials. As discussed again today, for the safety of the children, if you do not have access to locked storage in the spaces used for child care, you must ensure items in aerosol cans are locked in your laundry room or bedroom, which are not used for child care. Today I strongly urged you again to conduct a “safety sweep” of the areas used for child care each morning before children arrive to ensure all potentially hazardous items have been moved to appropriate storage. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1719(a)(17) states that operators must check the indoor and outdoor environment daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment and animal waste. The operator shall keep all areas used by the children, indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children. Before children enter the indoor or outdoor area each day, you must take time to observe and ensure there are no safety hazards or broken equipment in the area. If there are any hazards, they must be addressed before children can enter the area. Today I suggested you use a sturdy duct tape like “Gorilla” tape to cover the cracked plastic on the ladder rung. I also suggested you keep an eye on the crack to ensure it doesn’t get bigger, causing the ladder to become unsafe, at which point you must make it inaccessible or remove it from the outdoor area. You stated you had a friend who would be coming to repair the light switch in the bathroom. Remember to send pictures of repairs to verify compliance. During the Routine Unannounced visit, I reminded you to update your posted Summary of the Child Care Law, but an old version was still observed today. I showed you where to find the new version on the DCDEE website and urged you to print and post one as soon as you can. I also urged you to ensure you are giving parents the updated version so they all have access to the most accurate information regarding the laws. Also during the Routine Unannounced visit, I advised you to review sample activity plans from the DCDEE website and choose one which better fits the age groups you serve. Today I observed the sample preschool activity plan, however the four different activity options were not documented. Technical assistance was provided regarding how to complete the activity plans and ensure you are aligning them with the developmental domains according to the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Since ninety percent of a child's brain development happens before the age of five years old, meaningful and appropriate activities are critical for helping children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Technical assistance was provided during the last Annual Compliance visit and again today regarding children’s records. I strongly urged you to review children’s files using the Child File Checklist to ensure all required documents are on file. I also urged you to review the packet of information you give to new parents when they enroll their children, and to thoroughly review the documentation when they turn it in to you to make sure they have given you all of it back. Remember to submit copies of the signed Written Plan of Care and the signed Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policies for the Frink children with your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding repetition of Health and Safety training and completion of on-going training hours. As discussed, you must repeat four of the Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also renew your ITS-SIDS certification by June 2, 2024 since you are still licensed to care for infants. In addition, you have not completed any training hours this compliance year, so 10 hours must be completed by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. Once you complete the Health and Safety topics and ITS-SIDS, you should have 8 hours of training, so you will only need 2 more to meet your annual requirement. Please see below for Moodle instructions: 1. Visit https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/, and log-in with your NCID and password. The log-in is in the upper right corner of the screen. 2. After log-in, scroll to the bottom of the page. In the ‘Search courses’ box, you should type in the short name “Year 2024 CCDF” and then click go. You should not register for prior year courses as they are no longer available. As discussed, you will need to also search “medication in child care” the same way to access this topic, as it is on a separate page from the rest of the topics. 3. After completing the course search, you should be able to register for the courses you need. You may need to use the “ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS” for step-by-step instructions. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment may be taken at www.preventchildabusenc.org. You may also take ITS-SIDS virtually or in person, however the Moodle module for ITS-SIDS will not count. In the future, I urge you to take workshops on a more regular basis rather than waiting until the last minute to complete your training hours. Technical assistance was provided today on how to complete and use the Verification of Required Information form as tracking tool for program and caregiver requirements. As discussed, you should note important dates such as fire inspections, well water analysis, and trainings, and use a calendar to track dates to ensure requirements are completed on time. Rated License Information As discussed during the October 31, 2023 Routine Unannounced visit, your facility was placed into “Cohort 2” in the cohort model of resuming rated license reassessments. Placement in this cohort means you will have from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to plan and prepare for your reassessment, with your reassessment being due between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Today I reviewed with you that you will have the option to request a Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) during your planning year. You may either use the score towards your full reassessment, or use it as a learning tool to help you do better on the one required during your reassessment year. I also reminded you that if you do not wish to have the FCCERS-R conducted, you will need to successfully complete at least six semester hours of college coursework in child development or early childhood education to increase from 3 to 4 points in Education to keep your Three Star rating. Remember, you will still need to complete a three-month self-study using the FCCERS-R to be eligible for 2 points in Program Standards. As you approach your planning year, you may wish to review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact the Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R for assistance with completion of the self-study component or FCCERS-R preparation. I am also available to assist you upon request. It was verified today that you are currently maintaining compliance with Education standards and your Quality point. Reminders You must send verification of completion of 10 on-going training hours by May 23, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must also schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by June 7, 2024. Remember to send a copy within one week as required. You must complete the repetition of all Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also ensure you renew your ITS-SIDS certification before June 2, 2024. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, 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. Training modules on the new rules are now available in Moodle under the Child Care Rule Rollout section. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. It’s time to enroll your facility in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: BEST DAY CARE HOME Facility ID: 24000078 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 10/31/2023 Number Present: 3 Completed Date: 10/31/2023 Age: From 1 To 1 Total Minutes: 100 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 10:50 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Three Star license issued July 13, 2020, earning 3 points in Education, 3 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first and second shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time and serves no more than 2 infants less than 12 months old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted May 23, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted June 7, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, your facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 89%. You, Owner/Operator T. Best, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Best, were observed supervising three children one year of age between your living room and the main child care space. One child was asleep on a blanket on the couch, and the other two children were observed playing with various materials including busy boxes and a toy computer. You engaged with the children as they played and asked them questions about what they were doing. At 10:30am, you assisted children with hand washing and served a morning snack of apples, cheese and water to those that were awake. Today it was observed that you have received a variety of new indoor and outdoor gross motor materials from a grant. In the outdoor space, a new portable toddler climber was observed, along with scooters for the school age children and a sand and water table. Both large and small balls were also observed, along with jump ropes, hula hoops and bean bags. You stated you plan to use some of the materials for indoor play and will take other materials to the outdoor space when you go. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance with child care rules, and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The following violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 705 All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage. Some of the provider's personal medications were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the kitchen. .1719(a)(5) 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. An aerosol can of disinfectant was observed in an unlocked cabinet in the kitchen. .1719 (a)(7) 1854 The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill has not been conducted since July 2, 2023, over three months ago. .1719(a )(16) & .1721(e )(7) 1922 Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and Styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three. A plastic grocery bag was accessible to children under three years of age in the main child care space, and a plastic Ziploc bag was accessible to children under three years of age in the bathroom used by children. .1719(a)(18) A compliance letter including detailed information about how each violation has been corrected must be received by November 14, 2023. Include any supporting documentation with your response (if applicable). Your letter will be used as verification that violations have been corrected and compliance is maintained; your written response is considered a legal document so must be accurate and truthful. If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent using the email address registered with DCDEE and include your facility name and ID number. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Technical Assistance Regarding Violations Cited Technical assistance was provided during the Annual Compliance visit regarding storage of potentially hazardous materials. As discussed again today, for the safety of the children, plastic bags must be stored at a minimum of five feet from the floor while children are in care. In addition, if you do not have access to locked storage in the spaces used for child care, you must ensure items like personal medicines and aerosol cans are locked in your laundry room or bedroom, which are not used for child care. Today I strongly urged you to conduct a “safety sweep” of the areas used for child care each morning before children arrive to ensure all potentially hazardous items have been moved to appropriate storage. For the safety of the children and yourself, shelter-in-place or lockdown drills must be conducted at least every three months. Today you stated you didn’t realize three months had gone by since your last drill. I strongly urge you to set a calendar reminder on your phone each time you conduct a drill to ensure the next one will be conducted within the required timeframe. You must conduct a drill by the end of the week and send a copy of your completed drill record to verify compliance. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was provided today regarding your daily schedule and nutrition requirements. As discussed during the Annual Compliance visit and again, you must serve meals or snacks every four hours to children who are 15 months of age and older. Today I urged you to change your scheduled meal times to 7:00am for breakfast, 10:30am for snack and 12:30pm for lunch so you can maintain compliance, since children are typically gone by 4:30pm. We also discussed USDA Meal Patterns, which require you to serve whole milk to children one year of age with breakfast and lunch unless they have a documented allergy, intolerance or parent preference for a different type of milk. Whole milk was not observed in your refrigerator today, and you stated your father was going to bring you some before lunch. As discussed, if milk substitutions such as almond milk or soy milk are required, you may determine whether you want to provide it or ask parents to bring it to your program. I also reminded you that you must serve two separate components for your morning snack, such as apples and cheese or carrots and crackers. Copies of the USDA Meal Patterns were emailed to you today to review. Rated License Information As discussed during the Annual Compliance visit, your facility has been placed into “Cohort 2.” Placement in this cohort means you will have from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to plan and prepare for your reassessment, with your reassessment being due between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Today I shared with you that you will have the option to request a Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) during your planning year. You may either use the score towards your full reassessment, or use it as a learning tool to help you do better on the one required during your reassessment year. I reminded you that if you do not wish to have the FCCERS-R conducted, you will need to successfully complete at least six semester hours of college coursework in child development or early childhood education to increase from 3 to 4 points in Education to keep your Three Star rating. Remember, you will still need to complete a three-month self-study using the FCCERS-R to be eligible for 2 points in Program Standards. As you approach your planning year, you may wish to review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact the Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R for assistance with completion of the self-study component or FCCERS-R preparation. I am also available to assist you upon request. It was verified today that you are currently maintaining compliance with Education standards and your Quality point. Reminders Remember to update the posted Emergency Medical Care Plan and Summary of the NC Child Care Laws and Rules poster on your bulletin board. You must complete the repetition of all Health and Safety training topics by June 2024. You must also ensure you renew your ITS-SIDS certification before June 2, 2024. Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, 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. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. At the end of this visit, documentation was completed electronically, printed, and reviewed with you. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. If you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at 910-338-7038 or amy.wangler@dhhs.nc.gov. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.