10A NCAC 09 .1703 · Violation

Name of Operation: BETHEL'S CHILDCARE Facility ID: 24000142 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 2/14/2024 Number Present: 2 Completed Date: 2/14/2024 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 130 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:20 AM 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 Four Star license issued March 2, 2023, earning 7 points in Education, 2 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time, fireplace/woodstove not used during operating hours and no more than 2 children less than one year old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted March 1, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted July 3, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 96%. You, Owner/Operator P. Richardson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Richardson, were observed in the main child care space with one preschool child. The child was observed playing in the dramatic play kitchen area. At 9:20 A. M., a second preschool child arrived. You assisted her with hand washing and served her a breakfast of cereal with milk and peaches. After breakfast, children worked on puzzles and played with baby dolls. Next, you took children outside to your fenced in backyard. It was observed that you replaced your old climbing structure with a new one which includes a rock climbing wall, slide, play house and picnic table. It was anchored as required. New balls, hula hoops, riding toys and outdoor games were also observed. It was also observed that you have changed your indoor space to include more early learning materials for the preschool children, such as a “Circle Time” chart and “Weekly Focus” display. Preschool assessment forms were observed in the preschool children’s files, however you stated you have not yet chosen an approved curriculum for the four-year-old child. At 10:45 A. M., you brought the children inside for a restroom break. They asked to read some books outside, so you let them pick some books and took them back outside to read together. Lunch planned for the day consisted of turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread, baked beans, fruit cocktail and milk. Transportation requirements were monitored today as you continue to pick up children from local schools daily and deliver them to your program. It was observed that you have added appropriate car seats for the two newly enrolled younger children, whom you take with you when you go to pick up the other children. Updated transportation permission forms were also observed. All children’s files were monitored today as they have all begun enrollment since the last Annual Compliance visit. In addition, I asked if you were still providing care for children older than twelve years of age and you stated you were not. As discussed, the restriction allowing you to care for children up to 15 years of age will be removed. Please let me know if you wish to add it back in the future. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2017 and repeated all topics by 2022 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). 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 910 Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment. A health assessment was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. GS 110-91(1); 10A NCAC 09.1721(a)(1) 1838 A Four- or Five-Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. Per operator statement, she is not yet implementing an approved curriculum with the four-year-old child. .2802(d) 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. Signed acknowledgements of this policy were not on file for the two enrolled children under five years of age. .1726(b)&(c) 9995 All other rules must be followed even if there is not a specific violation number listed on this form. An immunization record was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. This is a violation of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC .1721(a)(2). Chapter 10 of the NC General Statues or 10A NCAC Chapter 09 A compliance letter including detailed information about how the violations have been corrected must be received by February 28, 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 The health and safety of individual children requires that information regarding each child in care be kept and available when needed. Children's records consist of various documentation such as a child's medical and immunization history, emergency medical care information and parental permission to participate in specific activities. This information is the basis for meeting each child's physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. You must obtain signed statements of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy as well as physicals for S. Cox and M. Purcell. You also need a physical and shot record for B. Leggett. Remember to submit copies to verify compliance. Technical assistance was provided during the Routine Unannounced visit August 10, 2023 regarding curriculum requirements. Today you stated you thought it would be okay to continue doing your own curriculum rather than having to purchase a new one, however I reminded you that due to your star rating you must use an approved curriculum which is comprehensive, evidenced-based, and has a reading component with children four years of age. You may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/NC-Pre-K-Program/Approved-Curricula for a list of currently approved curricula options. Please let me know which one you have chosen in your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding activity areas for preschool children. I suggested you enhance your block play area by adding larger blocks such as cardboard blocks, hollow blocks or foam blocks and providing a larger space for building structures. We also reviewed screen time requirements. As discussed, if you choose to provide screen time at your facility, you must ensure that it is used to meet a developmental goal, that it is limited to 30 minutes per day and that the time is documented, and that free choice activities are offered for children not participating. I shared with you that screen time is also now prohibited for children under the age of three years old, therefore if any children this age are present the television may not be on. Today we also discussed nutrition requirements and the USDA Meal Patterns. As discussed, rules require that all components of each meal and snack are served together at the same time. If children don’t want to eat a certain item, you must still serve it then allow them to refuse it or throw it away. You must also ensure any cereals you serve contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce, and that you are not serving grain-based desserts such as Pop Tarts and granola bars. Please refer to the handouts emailed to you today for more information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Routine Unannounced visit conducted August 10, 2023, your facility has been assigned to Cohort 2 in the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments. Your reassessment will not be required until sometime between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The year prior, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, will be your planning and preparation year, during which you may work on the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) self-study to remain eligible for Two Points in Program Standards. You may also wish to consider having a FCCERS-R assessment conducted to increase Program Standards points. As discussed, with a full year to prepare, it may be a good opportunity to try to increase your star rating by having the FCCERS-R conducted. Today I reminded you about NCRLAP outreach assessments, and shared that in addition to an outreach assessment you may even request a free valid assessment during your planning year to help you identify areas of strength and need in your program. I encourage you to visit www.ncrlap.org/resources for handouts and training opportunities, as well as contact Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R staff for technical assistance with your self-study and/or the FCCERS-R assessment itself. I will assist you in the planning and timeline of your reassessment as your preparation year approaches. Reminders Remember to send verification of two additional hours of on-going training earned before March 1, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by July 3, 2024. Please send a copy upon completion. You must also ensure you renew your CPR and First Aid certification by September 8, 2024. Your daughter, D. Richardson, will need to apply for a criminal background check in the portal within five days of her sixteenth birthday next year. As discussed, she will need an individual NCID to start the application, and fingerprinting is required. You may use the instructions emailed to you today when it is time for her to complete the application. 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. 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, reviewed with you, and emailed to 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: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09.1721 · Violation

Name of Operation: BETHEL'S CHILDCARE Facility ID: 24000142 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 2/14/2024 Number Present: 2 Completed Date: 2/14/2024 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 130 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:20 AM 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 Four Star license issued March 2, 2023, earning 7 points in Education, 2 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time, fireplace/woodstove not used during operating hours and no more than 2 children less than one year old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted March 1, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted July 3, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 96%. You, Owner/Operator P. Richardson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Richardson, were observed in the main child care space with one preschool child. The child was observed playing in the dramatic play kitchen area. At 9:20 A. M., a second preschool child arrived. You assisted her with hand washing and served her a breakfast of cereal with milk and peaches. After breakfast, children worked on puzzles and played with baby dolls. Next, you took children outside to your fenced in backyard. It was observed that you replaced your old climbing structure with a new one which includes a rock climbing wall, slide, play house and picnic table. It was anchored as required. New balls, hula hoops, riding toys and outdoor games were also observed. It was also observed that you have changed your indoor space to include more early learning materials for the preschool children, such as a “Circle Time” chart and “Weekly Focus” display. Preschool assessment forms were observed in the preschool children’s files, however you stated you have not yet chosen an approved curriculum for the four-year-old child. At 10:45 A. M., you brought the children inside for a restroom break. They asked to read some books outside, so you let them pick some books and took them back outside to read together. Lunch planned for the day consisted of turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread, baked beans, fruit cocktail and milk. Transportation requirements were monitored today as you continue to pick up children from local schools daily and deliver them to your program. It was observed that you have added appropriate car seats for the two newly enrolled younger children, whom you take with you when you go to pick up the other children. Updated transportation permission forms were also observed. All children’s files were monitored today as they have all begun enrollment since the last Annual Compliance visit. In addition, I asked if you were still providing care for children older than twelve years of age and you stated you were not. As discussed, the restriction allowing you to care for children up to 15 years of age will be removed. Please let me know if you wish to add it back in the future. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2017 and repeated all topics by 2022 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). 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 910 Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment. A health assessment was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. GS 110-91(1); 10A NCAC 09.1721(a)(1) 1838 A Four- or Five-Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. Per operator statement, she is not yet implementing an approved curriculum with the four-year-old child. .2802(d) 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. Signed acknowledgements of this policy were not on file for the two enrolled children under five years of age. .1726(b)&(c) 9995 All other rules must be followed even if there is not a specific violation number listed on this form. An immunization record was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. This is a violation of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC .1721(a)(2). Chapter 10 of the NC General Statues or 10A NCAC Chapter 09 A compliance letter including detailed information about how the violations have been corrected must be received by February 28, 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 The health and safety of individual children requires that information regarding each child in care be kept and available when needed. Children's records consist of various documentation such as a child's medical and immunization history, emergency medical care information and parental permission to participate in specific activities. This information is the basis for meeting each child's physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. You must obtain signed statements of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy as well as physicals for S. Cox and M. Purcell. You also need a physical and shot record for B. Leggett. Remember to submit copies to verify compliance. Technical assistance was provided during the Routine Unannounced visit August 10, 2023 regarding curriculum requirements. Today you stated you thought it would be okay to continue doing your own curriculum rather than having to purchase a new one, however I reminded you that due to your star rating you must use an approved curriculum which is comprehensive, evidenced-based, and has a reading component with children four years of age. You may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/NC-Pre-K-Program/Approved-Curricula for a list of currently approved curricula options. Please let me know which one you have chosen in your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding activity areas for preschool children. I suggested you enhance your block play area by adding larger blocks such as cardboard blocks, hollow blocks or foam blocks and providing a larger space for building structures. We also reviewed screen time requirements. As discussed, if you choose to provide screen time at your facility, you must ensure that it is used to meet a developmental goal, that it is limited to 30 minutes per day and that the time is documented, and that free choice activities are offered for children not participating. I shared with you that screen time is also now prohibited for children under the age of three years old, therefore if any children this age are present the television may not be on. Today we also discussed nutrition requirements and the USDA Meal Patterns. As discussed, rules require that all components of each meal and snack are served together at the same time. If children don’t want to eat a certain item, you must still serve it then allow them to refuse it or throw it away. You must also ensure any cereals you serve contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce, and that you are not serving grain-based desserts such as Pop Tarts and granola bars. Please refer to the handouts emailed to you today for more information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Routine Unannounced visit conducted August 10, 2023, your facility has been assigned to Cohort 2 in the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments. Your reassessment will not be required until sometime between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The year prior, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, will be your planning and preparation year, during which you may work on the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) self-study to remain eligible for Two Points in Program Standards. You may also wish to consider having a FCCERS-R assessment conducted to increase Program Standards points. As discussed, with a full year to prepare, it may be a good opportunity to try to increase your star rating by having the FCCERS-R conducted. Today I reminded you about NCRLAP outreach assessments, and shared that in addition to an outreach assessment you may even request a free valid assessment during your planning year to help you identify areas of strength and need in your program. I encourage you to visit www.ncrlap.org/resources for handouts and training opportunities, as well as contact Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R staff for technical assistance with your self-study and/or the FCCERS-R assessment itself. I will assist you in the planning and timeline of your reassessment as your preparation year approaches. Reminders Remember to send verification of two additional hours of on-going training earned before March 1, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by July 3, 2024. Please send a copy upon completion. You must also ensure you renew your CPR and First Aid certification by September 8, 2024. Your daughter, D. Richardson, will need to apply for a criminal background check in the portal within five days of her sixteenth birthday next year. As discussed, she will need an individual NCID to start the application, and fingerprinting is required. You may use the instructions emailed to you today when it is time for her to complete the application. 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. 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, reviewed with you, and emailed to 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 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: BETHEL'S CHILDCARE Facility ID: 24000142 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 2/14/2024 Number Present: 2 Completed Date: 2/14/2024 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 130 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:20 AM 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 Four Star license issued March 2, 2023, earning 7 points in Education, 2 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time, fireplace/woodstove not used during operating hours and no more than 2 children less than one year old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted March 1, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted July 3, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 96%. You, Owner/Operator P. Richardson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Richardson, were observed in the main child care space with one preschool child. The child was observed playing in the dramatic play kitchen area. At 9:20 A. M., a second preschool child arrived. You assisted her with hand washing and served her a breakfast of cereal with milk and peaches. After breakfast, children worked on puzzles and played with baby dolls. Next, you took children outside to your fenced in backyard. It was observed that you replaced your old climbing structure with a new one which includes a rock climbing wall, slide, play house and picnic table. It was anchored as required. New balls, hula hoops, riding toys and outdoor games were also observed. It was also observed that you have changed your indoor space to include more early learning materials for the preschool children, such as a “Circle Time” chart and “Weekly Focus” display. Preschool assessment forms were observed in the preschool children’s files, however you stated you have not yet chosen an approved curriculum for the four-year-old child. At 10:45 A. M., you brought the children inside for a restroom break. They asked to read some books outside, so you let them pick some books and took them back outside to read together. Lunch planned for the day consisted of turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread, baked beans, fruit cocktail and milk. Transportation requirements were monitored today as you continue to pick up children from local schools daily and deliver them to your program. It was observed that you have added appropriate car seats for the two newly enrolled younger children, whom you take with you when you go to pick up the other children. Updated transportation permission forms were also observed. All children’s files were monitored today as they have all begun enrollment since the last Annual Compliance visit. In addition, I asked if you were still providing care for children older than twelve years of age and you stated you were not. As discussed, the restriction allowing you to care for children up to 15 years of age will be removed. Please let me know if you wish to add it back in the future. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2017 and repeated all topics by 2022 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). 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 910 Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment. A health assessment was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. GS 110-91(1); 10A NCAC 09.1721(a)(1) 1838 A Four- or Five-Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. Per operator statement, she is not yet implementing an approved curriculum with the four-year-old child. .2802(d) 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. Signed acknowledgements of this policy were not on file for the two enrolled children under five years of age. .1726(b)&(c) 9995 All other rules must be followed even if there is not a specific violation number listed on this form. An immunization record was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. This is a violation of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC .1721(a)(2). Chapter 10 of the NC General Statues or 10A NCAC Chapter 09 A compliance letter including detailed information about how the violations have been corrected must be received by February 28, 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 The health and safety of individual children requires that information regarding each child in care be kept and available when needed. Children's records consist of various documentation such as a child's medical and immunization history, emergency medical care information and parental permission to participate in specific activities. This information is the basis for meeting each child's physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. You must obtain signed statements of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy as well as physicals for S. Cox and M. Purcell. You also need a physical and shot record for B. Leggett. Remember to submit copies to verify compliance. Technical assistance was provided during the Routine Unannounced visit August 10, 2023 regarding curriculum requirements. Today you stated you thought it would be okay to continue doing your own curriculum rather than having to purchase a new one, however I reminded you that due to your star rating you must use an approved curriculum which is comprehensive, evidenced-based, and has a reading component with children four years of age. You may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/NC-Pre-K-Program/Approved-Curricula for a list of currently approved curricula options. Please let me know which one you have chosen in your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding activity areas for preschool children. I suggested you enhance your block play area by adding larger blocks such as cardboard blocks, hollow blocks or foam blocks and providing a larger space for building structures. We also reviewed screen time requirements. As discussed, if you choose to provide screen time at your facility, you must ensure that it is used to meet a developmental goal, that it is limited to 30 minutes per day and that the time is documented, and that free choice activities are offered for children not participating. I shared with you that screen time is also now prohibited for children under the age of three years old, therefore if any children this age are present the television may not be on. Today we also discussed nutrition requirements and the USDA Meal Patterns. As discussed, rules require that all components of each meal and snack are served together at the same time. If children don’t want to eat a certain item, you must still serve it then allow them to refuse it or throw it away. You must also ensure any cereals you serve contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce, and that you are not serving grain-based desserts such as Pop Tarts and granola bars. Please refer to the handouts emailed to you today for more information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Routine Unannounced visit conducted August 10, 2023, your facility has been assigned to Cohort 2 in the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments. Your reassessment will not be required until sometime between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The year prior, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, will be your planning and preparation year, during which you may work on the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) self-study to remain eligible for Two Points in Program Standards. You may also wish to consider having a FCCERS-R assessment conducted to increase Program Standards points. As discussed, with a full year to prepare, it may be a good opportunity to try to increase your star rating by having the FCCERS-R conducted. Today I reminded you about NCRLAP outreach assessments, and shared that in addition to an outreach assessment you may even request a free valid assessment during your planning year to help you identify areas of strength and need in your program. I encourage you to visit www.ncrlap.org/resources for handouts and training opportunities, as well as contact Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R staff for technical assistance with your self-study and/or the FCCERS-R assessment itself. I will assist you in the planning and timeline of your reassessment as your preparation year approaches. Reminders Remember to send verification of two additional hours of on-going training earned before March 1, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by July 3, 2024. Please send a copy upon completion. You must also ensure you renew your CPR and First Aid certification by September 8, 2024. Your daughter, D. Richardson, will need to apply for a criminal background check in the portal within five days of her sixteenth birthday next year. As discussed, she will need an individual NCID to start the application, and fingerprinting is required. You may use the instructions emailed to you today when it is time for her to complete the application. 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. 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, reviewed with you, and emailed to 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: BETHEL'S CHILDCARE Facility ID: 24000142 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 2/14/2024 Number Present: 2 Completed Date: 2/14/2024 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 130 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:20 AM 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 Four Star license issued March 2, 2023, earning 7 points in Education, 2 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time, fireplace/woodstove not used during operating hours and no more than 2 children less than one year old. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted March 1, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted July 3, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 96%. You, Owner/Operator P. Richardson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Richardson, were observed in the main child care space with one preschool child. The child was observed playing in the dramatic play kitchen area. At 9:20 A. M., a second preschool child arrived. You assisted her with hand washing and served her a breakfast of cereal with milk and peaches. After breakfast, children worked on puzzles and played with baby dolls. Next, you took children outside to your fenced in backyard. It was observed that you replaced your old climbing structure with a new one which includes a rock climbing wall, slide, play house and picnic table. It was anchored as required. New balls, hula hoops, riding toys and outdoor games were also observed. It was also observed that you have changed your indoor space to include more early learning materials for the preschool children, such as a “Circle Time” chart and “Weekly Focus” display. Preschool assessment forms were observed in the preschool children’s files, however you stated you have not yet chosen an approved curriculum for the four-year-old child. At 10:45 A. M., you brought the children inside for a restroom break. They asked to read some books outside, so you let them pick some books and took them back outside to read together. Lunch planned for the day consisted of turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread, baked beans, fruit cocktail and milk. Transportation requirements were monitored today as you continue to pick up children from local schools daily and deliver them to your program. It was observed that you have added appropriate car seats for the two newly enrolled younger children, whom you take with you when you go to pick up the other children. Updated transportation permission forms were also observed. All children’s files were monitored today as they have all begun enrollment since the last Annual Compliance visit. In addition, I asked if you were still providing care for children older than twelve years of age and you stated you were not. As discussed, the restriction allowing you to care for children up to 15 years of age will be removed. Please let me know if you wish to add it back in the future. It was previously verified that you initially completed all Health and Safety training topics in 2017 and repeated all topics by 2022 as required by Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b). 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 910 Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment. A health assessment was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. GS 110-91(1); 10A NCAC 09.1721(a)(1) 1838 A Four- or Five-Star program serving four year old children was not implementing an approved curriculum. Per operator statement, she is not yet implementing an approved curriculum with the four-year-old child. .2802(d) 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. Signed acknowledgements of this policy were not on file for the two enrolled children under five years of age. .1726(b)&(c) 9995 All other rules must be followed even if there is not a specific violation number listed on this form. An immunization record was not on file for a preschool child who enrolled in October 2023. This is a violation of Child Care Rule 10A NCAC .1721(a)(2). Chapter 10 of the NC General Statues or 10A NCAC Chapter 09 A compliance letter including detailed information about how the violations have been corrected must be received by February 28, 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 The health and safety of individual children requires that information regarding each child in care be kept and available when needed. Children's records consist of various documentation such as a child's medical and immunization history, emergency medical care information and parental permission to participate in specific activities. This information is the basis for meeting each child's physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. You must obtain signed statements of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy as well as physicals for S. Cox and M. Purcell. You also need a physical and shot record for B. Leggett. Remember to submit copies to verify compliance. Technical assistance was provided during the Routine Unannounced visit August 10, 2023 regarding curriculum requirements. Today you stated you thought it would be okay to continue doing your own curriculum rather than having to purchase a new one, however I reminded you that due to your star rating you must use an approved curriculum which is comprehensive, evidenced-based, and has a reading component with children four years of age. You may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/NC-Pre-K-Program/Approved-Curricula for a list of currently approved curricula options. Please let me know which one you have chosen in your compliance letter. Technical Assistance Technical assistance was also provided today regarding activity areas for preschool children. I suggested you enhance your block play area by adding larger blocks such as cardboard blocks, hollow blocks or foam blocks and providing a larger space for building structures. We also reviewed screen time requirements. As discussed, if you choose to provide screen time at your facility, you must ensure that it is used to meet a developmental goal, that it is limited to 30 minutes per day and that the time is documented, and that free choice activities are offered for children not participating. I shared with you that screen time is also now prohibited for children under the age of three years old, therefore if any children this age are present the television may not be on. Today we also discussed nutrition requirements and the USDA Meal Patterns. As discussed, rules require that all components of each meal and snack are served together at the same time. If children don’t want to eat a certain item, you must still serve it then allow them to refuse it or throw it away. You must also ensure any cereals you serve contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce, and that you are not serving grain-based desserts such as Pop Tarts and granola bars. Please refer to the handouts emailed to you today for more information. Rated License Information As discussed during the Routine Unannounced visit conducted August 10, 2023, your facility has been assigned to Cohort 2 in the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments. Your reassessment will not be required until sometime between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The year prior, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, will be your planning and preparation year, during which you may work on the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) self-study to remain eligible for Two Points in Program Standards. You may also wish to consider having a FCCERS-R assessment conducted to increase Program Standards points. As discussed, with a full year to prepare, it may be a good opportunity to try to increase your star rating by having the FCCERS-R conducted. Today I reminded you about NCRLAP outreach assessments, and shared that in addition to an outreach assessment you may even request a free valid assessment during your planning year to help you identify areas of strength and need in your program. I encourage you to visit www.ncrlap.org/resources for handouts and training opportunities, as well as contact Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R staff for technical assistance with your self-study and/or the FCCERS-R assessment itself. I will assist you in the planning and timeline of your reassessment as your preparation year approaches. Reminders Remember to send verification of two additional hours of on-going training earned before March 1, 2024 to avoid a violation. You must schedule and obtain an approved fire inspection by July 3, 2024. Please send a copy upon completion. You must also ensure you renew your CPR and First Aid certification by September 8, 2024. Your daughter, D. Richardson, will need to apply for a criminal background check in the portal within five days of her sixteenth birthday next year. As discussed, she will need an individual NCID to start the application, and fingerprinting is required. You may use the instructions emailed to you today when it is time for her to complete the application. 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. 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, reviewed with you, and emailed to 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: BETHEL'S CHILDCARE Facility ID: 24000142 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 8/10/2023 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 8/10/2023 Age: From 5 To 5 Total Minutes: 95 Time In: 09:40 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 my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Four Star license issued March 2, 2023, earning 7 points in Education, 2 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time, fireplace/woodstove not used during operating hours, no more than 2 children less than one year old, and may care for children up to 15 years of age. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted March 1, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted July 3, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 97%. You, Owner/Operator P. Richardson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Richardson, were observed pulling into your driveway with your own child, fourteen years of age. You stated you did not have any children in attendance yet and you had just picked up your daughter from cheer practice. You invited me into your home and I began monitoring environments and reviewing records. At 10:20am, one child, five years of age, arrived, and you assisted her with hand washing prior to serving her a snack of cereal and milk. Next, you supervised her as she washed her hands again, and you began to look at flash cards of sight words together. Next, you initiated a matching game using the flash cards and worked with her on recognition of words. Transportation requirements were monitored today as you stated you will resume transporting children from local schools to your program on August 15, 2023. Requirements were in compliance. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance 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 violation was observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 701 All indoor and outdoor areas used by the children were not kept clean, orderly, and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children including removal of items a child can swallow; the removal of loose nails or screws and splinters on inside; and use of outdoor equipment that is too hot to touch. Splintered wood and exposed rusty nails were observed on the climbing equipment and wooden borders in the backyard. In addition, multiple active fire ant hills were observed. .1719(a)(1)&(17) A compliance letter including detailed information about how the violation has been corrected must be received by August 24, 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 As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1719(a)(1) requires that you keep all areas used by the children, both indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items that are potentially hazardous to children. Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to, power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, and gasoline or kerosene whether or not intended for use by children, shall be stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or otherwise inaccessible to children. This includes the removal of items that a child can swallow. In addition, loose nails or screws and splinters shall be removed on inside and outside equipment. Fire ant hills are also potentially hazardous to children, and should be made inaccessible and/or treated immediately to prevent injury. Today I suggested you let children play in the side or back of your yard temporarily until you can ensure ant hills are removed, rusty nails are inaccessible and splintered wood is inaccessible or repaired. Please describe your efforts to remove or repair hazards in your compliance letter and send pictures if applicable. Technical Assistance Today you stated you are looking to enroll some preschool aged children during the day once the school year starts back in a few weeks. As you are operating with a Four Star license, I reminded you of the requirement to implement an approved curriculum with children four years of age. As discussed, the curriculum must be comprehensive, evidenced-based, and have a reading component. You may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/NC-Pre-K-Program/Approved-Curricula for a list of currently approved curricula options. I also suggested that you upgrade your activity plan for the preschool aged children to include more developmentally appropriate and detailed activities as they will be present for a longer period of time than what you are currently used to with school age children only. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding transportation permission requirements. As you stated many of the children are changing to a new school this year, I reminded you to update permission forms to reflect the name of the new school as well as any changes in arrival and departure times. I suggested you fill out these items, then make copies for parents and ask them to complete the remaining items including signatures. It may also be helpful to ask parents to review emergency information for accuracy and provide any updates as needed. Rated License Information New information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments has been shared since your annual compliance visit. As discussed today, your facility has been assigned to Cohort 2, and your reassessment will not be required until sometime between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The year prior, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, will be your planning and preparation year, during which you may work on the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) self-study to remain eligible for Two Points in Program Standards. You may also wish to consider having a FCCERS-R assessment conducted to increase Program Standards points. As discussed, with a full year to prepare, it may be a good opportunity to try to increase your star rating by having the FCCERS-R conducted. Today I shared information with you regarding NCRLAP outreach assessments, and shared that in addition to an outreach assessment you may even request a free valid assessment during your planning year to help you identify areas of strength and need in your program. I encourage you to visit www.ncrlap.org/resources for handouts and training opportunities, as well as contact Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R staff for technical assistance with your self-study and/or the FCCERS-R assessment itself. I will assist you in the planning and timeline of your reassessment as your preparation year approaches. Reminders Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, the changes will not directly affect your program, however 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, reviewed with you and emailed to 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: BETHEL'S CHILDCARE Facility ID: 24000142 Consultant: AMY WANGLER Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 8/10/2023 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 8/10/2023 Age: From 5 To 5 Total Minutes: 95 Time In: 09:40 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 my visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to this visit type. Your facility currently operates with a Four Star license issued March 2, 2023, earning 7 points in Education, 2 points in Program Standards and a Quality point. Restrictions on the permit include: a first shift capacity of 8 children 0-12 years of age, maximum of 5 preschool children at any time, fireplace/woodstove not used during operating hours, no more than 2 children less than one year old, and may care for children up to 15 years of age. Restrictions were in compliance today. The last annual compliance visit was conducted March 1, 2023. A fire inspection was conducted July 3, 2023 and your facility was approved for day time care. Prior to the visit, the facility had an eighteen-month compliance history score of 97%. You, Owner/Operator P. Richardson, were present and available for consultation today. Upon arrival, you, Ms. Richardson, were observed pulling into your driveway with your own child, fourteen years of age. You stated you did not have any children in attendance yet and you had just picked up your daughter from cheer practice. You invited me into your home and I began monitoring environments and reviewing records. At 10:20am, one child, five years of age, arrived, and you assisted her with hand washing prior to serving her a snack of cereal and milk. Next, you supervised her as she washed her hands again, and you began to look at flash cards of sight words together. Next, you initiated a matching game using the flash cards and worked with her on recognition of words. Transportation requirements were monitored today as you stated you will resume transporting children from local schools to your program on August 15, 2023. Requirements were in compliance. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance 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 violation was observed today and must be corrected immediately: Violation Number Comment Rule 701 All indoor and outdoor areas used by the children were not kept clean, orderly, and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children including removal of items a child can swallow; the removal of loose nails or screws and splinters on inside; and use of outdoor equipment that is too hot to touch. Splintered wood and exposed rusty nails were observed on the climbing equipment and wooden borders in the backyard. In addition, multiple active fire ant hills were observed. .1719(a)(1)&(17) A compliance letter including detailed information about how the violation has been corrected must be received by August 24, 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 As discussed, Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1719(a)(1) requires that you keep all areas used by the children, both indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items that are potentially hazardous to children. Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to, power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, and gasoline or kerosene whether or not intended for use by children, shall be stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or otherwise inaccessible to children. This includes the removal of items that a child can swallow. In addition, loose nails or screws and splinters shall be removed on inside and outside equipment. Fire ant hills are also potentially hazardous to children, and should be made inaccessible and/or treated immediately to prevent injury. Today I suggested you let children play in the side or back of your yard temporarily until you can ensure ant hills are removed, rusty nails are inaccessible and splintered wood is inaccessible or repaired. Please describe your efforts to remove or repair hazards in your compliance letter and send pictures if applicable. Technical Assistance Today you stated you are looking to enroll some preschool aged children during the day once the school year starts back in a few weeks. As you are operating with a Four Star license, I reminded you of the requirement to implement an approved curriculum with children four years of age. As discussed, the curriculum must be comprehensive, evidenced-based, and have a reading component. You may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/NC-Pre-K-Program/Approved-Curricula for a list of currently approved curricula options. I also suggested that you upgrade your activity plan for the preschool aged children to include more developmentally appropriate and detailed activities as they will be present for a longer period of time than what you are currently used to with school age children only. Technical assistance was also provided today regarding transportation permission requirements. As you stated many of the children are changing to a new school this year, I reminded you to update permission forms to reflect the name of the new school as well as any changes in arrival and departure times. I suggested you fill out these items, then make copies for parents and ask them to complete the remaining items including signatures. It may also be helpful to ask parents to review emergency information for accuracy and provide any updates as needed. Rated License Information New information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments has been shared since your annual compliance visit. As discussed today, your facility has been assigned to Cohort 2, and your reassessment will not be required until sometime between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The year prior, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, will be your planning and preparation year, during which you may work on the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) self-study to remain eligible for Two Points in Program Standards. You may also wish to consider having a FCCERS-R assessment conducted to increase Program Standards points. As discussed, with a full year to prepare, it may be a good opportunity to try to increase your star rating by having the FCCERS-R conducted. Today I shared information with you regarding NCRLAP outreach assessments, and shared that in addition to an outreach assessment you may even request a free valid assessment during your planning year to help you identify areas of strength and need in your program. I encourage you to visit www.ncrlap.org/resources for handouts and training opportunities, as well as contact Columbus County Partnership for Children or Region 4 CCR&R staff for technical assistance with your self-study and/or the FCCERS-R assessment itself. I will assist you in the planning and timeline of your reassessment as your preparation year approaches. Reminders Child Care Rules were revised July 1, 2023, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. As discussed, the changes will not directly affect your program, however 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, reviewed with you and emailed to 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