Mima'S Kids Child Care

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: MIMA'S KIDS CHILD CARE Facility ID: 98000059 Consultant: FELICIA FAISON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/17/2026 Number Present: 11 Completed Date: 6/17/2026 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced applicable to an annual compliance visit. L. Artis, administrator, arrived shortly after the visit began and assisted. Currently, this center operates with a Five-Star License issued December 11, 2019, earning six (6) points in the Education Component, six (6) points in the Program Component and one (1) Quality point. The last Annual Compliance visit at this center was completed July 2, 2025. The posted sanitation inspection was completed March 20, 2026, earning a “Superior” rating. The last fire inspection was completed February 20, 2026 and the facility was approved for daytime and nighttime care. Children were observed participating in circle time, free choice center play, and outdoor play. I observed nurturing interactions between teachers and children. The following violations of child care requirements were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. There were two (2) children under the age of three (3) years watching tablets upon my arrival. .0510(f) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. The merry-go-cycle on the playground has areas of chipping red paint on the handlebars. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The last review of the EPR plan was documented as 1/29/25. .0607(e) The violations documented above must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance can be mailed or emailed to me and must be received by July 1, 2026. If mailing, you must submit two (2) signed and dated copies. My mailing and email addresses are noted at the bottom. The letter of compliance must detail how you corrected the violation. Please be aware any written information you submit regarding the correction of the violation is legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all submitted information is accurate and truthful. If it is determined that submitted information was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. COMPLIANCE HISTORY Prior to today’s visit your compliance history was 98% over an eighteen (18) month period. FACILITY PROFILE This facility is owned by Annie Melvin as a sole proprietor. Should the ownership change or become incorporated please inform your Child Care Consultant prior to making any changes. I reviewed contact information for the owner and the facility with you, and you verified the current information listed with DCDEE remains correct. CHILDREN’S RECORDS I monitored ten (10) percent of children’s records, and they were observed to be in compliance. STAFF RECORDS I was not able to monitor staff records today due to the staff records and training worksheet requiring an update. I will call or email you to schedule a visit, in the near future, for monitoring of staff records. GENERAL CAREGIVING ACTIVITIES Upon my arrival I observed the majority of children engaging in screen time by watching their tablets. Two (2) of the children engaging in screen time were two (2) years old. Child Care Rules prohibit any screen time for children who are under the age of three (3) years. The first two years of life are important for the growth and development of a child’s brain and body as rapid brain development continues throughout early childhood. Hands on exploration and social interaction with caregivers and other children help in developing cognitive, language, motor and social emotional skills which are not promoted as well through screen time. Ensure that all screen time is documented on a cumulative screen time log and continue to limit it to no more than thirty (30) minutes per day for children ages three (3) and older. Screen time logs are available on the Division website under “Provider Documents.” Any screen time offered should have the purpose of stimulating one or more of the developmental domains. PROGRAM RECORDS Child Care Rules require that the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) plan be reviewed annually even if no changes are needed. If no changes/revisions are made you should print either the cover page or page 28 which will list the date of the review or both. The twenty-eighth page also includes who accessed the plan and whether the plan was revised or only reviewed. You reviewed the plan while I was here and printed the cover page with today’s date. Therefore, this was corrected during the visit. OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT While monitoring the playground I observed that the merry-go-cycle has areas of chipping red paint on the handlebars. I recommend repainting areas with chipping paint or showing signs of chipping. This ensures that the children are not able to chip off any paint and use it in a harmful manner. Ensure that staff monitor all outdoor and indoor equipment, furniture and walls for signs of disrepair such as peeling or chipping paint. QRIS DOCUMENTATION While reviewing the information related to the new rated license I observed a form that was required to be signed by the program administrator. I brought that form , “Pathway 2- Classroom & Instructional Quality Star Lever Assessment for child Care Centers/ Centers Located in a Residence” to this visit for your review and to obtain a signature. I then signed and dated the form as well. Once this is added to the rated license packet the new license will be processed. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & REMINDERS Technical assistance was given regarding screen time. Continue to ensure that all screen time is documented on the screen time log found on the Division website under “Provider Documents.” All of the items noted on the log must be documented for each child including what domain the screen time is meeting. Ensure that parents update their child’s infant feeding plan as infant and table foods are introduced. These should be posted for easy reference by teachers, and any substitutes or visitors who may need to refer to them. Staff should place all personal handbags in a locked area to ensure no hazardous products or materials are accessible such as otc medications, lighters, aerosol products, etc. If a handbag is observed and not in locked storage it is considered as part of the children’s environment. Continue to ensure that children only use spaces #1 and #2 as they are the two (2) licensed for childcare. Items discussed as technical assistance may warrant a violation if observed out of compliance at future visits. ABCMS PROVIDER PORTAL I reviewed the ABCMS portal and observed a staff roster listed for this program. This ABCMS roster allows you to satisfy the requirement that DCDEE is notified when new staff are hired within five (5) days. You must maintain this roster by adding and removing staff as appropriate. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all applicable laws and rules. The best way to do so is to periodically review the child care laws and rules. The current rule book dated July 1, 2025, is available at the DCDEE website https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. There are also modules reviewing the new Child Care Rules available on Moodle, which can be found on the Division website. I recommend you frequently click the “What’s New” tab to stay informed of all updates on the DCDEE website. Please feel free to contact me at (984) 867-7089 or email at Felicia.faison@dhhs.nc.gov for questions and assistance. If needed my mailing address is PO Box 61161, Raleigh NC 27661. You may also contact Susan Fuller, Licensing Supervisor at (252) 373-9809. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: MIMA'S KIDS CHILD CARE Facility ID: 98000059 Consultant: KESHIA HAYWARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/29/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 1/29/2025 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 100 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 10:10 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor your facility for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. L. Artis, Legal Designee/Lead Teacher, assisted with the visit. Ten (10) children were present today ranging from one (1) to five (5) years old. Children were engaged in free choice play and interacting with caregivers. Currently this program operates with a five-star license. The last sanitation inspection was completed on November 13, 2024, 2024, earning a superior classification. The last fire inspection was completed on March 8, 2024, and the center was approved for day and nighttime care. The last annual compliance visit was completed on July 16, 2024. The following violation was documented today. Violation Number Comment Rule 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. A plastic grocery bag storing diapers was observed in the lower part of the diaper changing table accessible to children in care. .0604(q) The violation documented was corrected during the visit. A caregiver removed the plastic bag and placed it in a location outside of the child care are and inaccessible to children. Because the violation was corrected during the visit, a compliance verification letter is not required. OWNERSHIP STATUS: Annie P. Melvin is listed as the sole owner of this child care program. Prior to making changes to the ownership status, contact me to discuss change of ownership procedures. FACILITY PROFILE INFORMATION: You verified the phone number, mailing address and email address listed on the facility profile are correct. If changes in your facility’s information occur in the future, contact me at 252-214-2709 or email keshia.hayward@dhhs.nc.gov to discuss the changes and ensure accurate information is updated in our system. COMPLIANCE HISTORY: The program's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 95% as of January 28, 2025. STAFF/CHILD INTERACTIONS: Upon arrival children were engaged in free choice play with developmentally appropriate materials. There were a variety of materials. The materials were clean and in good repair. Caregivers interacted with children while they were playing. One caregiver was observed reading stories and singing songs with the children. Staff talked to children and encouraged them to engage in play with their peers. Staff redirected children’s behavior in a positive manner. STAR RATED LICENSE STATUS: I informed you child care programs will continue to remain in hold harmless status until further notice and guidance is given from the state. I advise you to review the information provided from the Raising North Carolina newsletters received. We also talked about the transition of ECERS, ITERS, and FCCERS from the current version to the 3’s version. I recommend you visit the NCRLAP website at https://www.ncrlap.org/ to obtain updated information about the transitions and preparation guidance provided. Also, a Public Hearing will be held at the Commission meeting on March 26, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 165, 333 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC and by WebEx. Sign up instructions and other details will be shared later. TRAINING: MENTAL HEALTH BEGINS BY BIRTH: The ARCh Project at the Center for Child & Family Health is offering a free 6-hour (two half-days) training course on the foundations of infant and early childhood mental health. The six hours are divided over two half-days of content: The dates are Friday, January 31st, and Friday, February 7th, from 9:30am to 12:30pm each day (participants are asked to attend both days). The training is available to anyone in NC whose professional work supports the relational, emotional, and mental health of babies and young children. This training supports IMH and ECMH Endorsement in 6 suggested competency areas and provides 6 hours of approved DCDEE credit! Refer to the Raising North Carolina newsletter sent on January 24, 2025 for registration details. HEATING UNIT: You stated a new heating unit had been installed in the program and a unit was placed outside. I confirmed the unit had to be enclosed to restrict children’s access. You stated the company is going to return on Thursday to enclose the unit. We discussed the plan that will be implemented to ensure the safety of children until the unit is enclosed. You stated staff will keep children in a designated location on the playground away from the unit. You added staff will closely monitor children while they engage in outdoor play to ensure their safety. I reminded you that a safe environment should always be provided for children. I asked you to submit verification to me showing the enclosing of the unit when completed. RECORDKEEPING: Your program’s records were well organized and easy to monitor. I encouraged you to continue monitoring the records periodically and purging them as needed. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS: As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. DCDEE RESOURCES: I recommended you periodically visit the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ under the "What's New" tab to stay abreast of updated information provided. Also, make sure you have the most recent copy of the child care rules dated November 1, 2024. At the conclusion of this visit, the visit summary report was completed, reviewed, and left with you. CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have questions regarding today’s visit, my contact information is listed above. You may also contact Licensing Supervisor, Susan Fuller at 252-373-9809 or email susan.fuller@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 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: MIMA'S KIDS CHILD CARE Facility ID: 98000059 Consultant: KESHIA HAYWARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/16/2024 Number Present: 7 Completed Date: 7/16/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 180 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 11:45 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor this program for compliance with applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. L. Artis, Legal Designee, assisted with the visit. This center currently operates with a five-star license, earning six points in the education component, six points in the program standard component and 1 quality point for 75% of lead teachers and teachers having at least 10 years of documented early childhood work experience that can be verified by the Division. This program meets enhanced ratio and enhanced space requirements. The last annual compliance visit was completed on July 26, 2023. The last sanitation inspection was completed on March 5, 2024, earning a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was completed on March 8, 2024, and the center was approved for daytime and night care. Seven (7) children ranging from ages one (1) to four (4) years old were observed in care today. Children were engaged in free-choice play, outdoor play, eating snack, completing hand washing and toileting routines, and interacting with caregivers. The snack consisted of peanut butter crackers and milk. The following violations were documented. Violation Number Comment Rule 808 The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests. Vines were protruding through the fence on the far-right side next to the storage shed. Vines were also starting to grow in other areas on the fence and on trees inside the play area. 15A NCAC 18A .2832(a) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Enhanced staff child ratios were not maintained when one (1) caregiver was observed providing care to seven (7) children ranging from ages one (1) to four years old upon arrival. The second caregiver was observed leaving the child care space twice during the visit for short periods of time leaving one (1) caregiver with the seven (7) children. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 The violations documented must be corrected immediately. Please send a compliance verification letter to me describing how the violations were corrected. You can submit the compliance verification letter by postal mail to Keshia Hayward, PO Box 1504 Greenville NC 27834, or email keshia.hayward@dhhs.nc.gov. The compliance verification letter must be received on or before July 30, 2024. The two-week time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance verification letter. This timeframe is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during the visit is legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined the information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility's Star Rated License could be issued. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. The center’s compliance history score was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was 100% as of July 25, 2024. OWNERSHIP STATUS: Annie Melvin is listed as the sole owner of this child care program. Prior to making any changes to the ownership status, contact me to discuss change of ownership procedures. You stated you are currently working with the lead consultant regarding changes in ownership. FACILITY PROFILE INFORMATION: You verified the phone number email address and mailing address listed on the facility profile are correct. If changes in your facility’s information occur in the future, contact me at 252-214-2709 or email keshia.hayward@dhhs.nc.gov to discuss the changes and ensure accurate information is updated in our system. STAFF/CHILD RATIO: Upon arrival staff/child ratios were not maintained when one caregiver was observed providing care for seven children ranging from ages one (1) to four (4) years old. The second caregiver entered the child care space approximately two minutes after arrival. While completing the observation, I observed the second caregiver leave the child care space twice for a short period of time. You stated you thought staff were allowed to leave the classroom for the purpose of using the restroom. I explained the staff/child ratio requirements must always be maintained. I further shared there can never be a lapse in staff/child ratio for any reason. I shared maintaining staff/child ratio creates opportunities for caregiving staff to provide individual attention to children served. A safe environment is also maintained when staff/child ratio requirements are met. I advised you to speak with staff regarding the importance of maintaining staff child ratio. Staff should always be aware of the number of children in care, their ages and how many adults are needed to meet ratio requirements. SAFE INDOOR/OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT: I informed you the vines growing through the fence enclosing the outdoor playground to the far right beside the storage shed must be removed to prevent harboring and breeding of pests. I also shared the vines could be poisonous. Plants are important to our health and well-being, and they can help children understand and respect the natural world. However, some plants and seeds can be harmful when eaten or touched. If you or staff are unsure whether plants/vines are toxic, they can work with the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) to identify it and determine whether it is safe. You can remove vines by cutting them down and removing their root systems, or by smothering them with mulch. Vinegar and boiling water are also good, non-toxic options for getting rid of vines. You should implement best practices to ensure environments used by children are always safe. HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS: You verified household members living in the home. You added there has been no changes since the last visit. You reported some family members use the address for the purpose of receiving mail during the transition in living locations; however, they never lived in the home. You stated no one should be utilizing the facility address at this time. I advised you to follow-up with the post office to ensure no one is utilizing the facility's address. You can also request that no one be allowed to add to use the address in the future. QUALITY RATING IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM: The Governor signed Senate Bill 425 (now Session Law 2024-34), Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill, which includes the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modifications recommended to the Legislature by the NC Child Care Commission to update QRIS and create additional pathways for licensed child care facilities to earn star rated licenses. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended and star rated license assessments for licensed child care providers will be conducted by provider request only, until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. This legislation also provides a pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies to move to a 3 or 5 star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers will need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form DCDEE RESOURCES: I recommended you periodically visit the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ under the "What's New" tab to stay abreast of updated information provided. Be reminded you are responsible for maintaining compliance with all applicable child care requirements whether they have been discussed or reviewed with you in the past. CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have questions regarding today’s visit, my contact information is listed above. You may also contact Licensing Supervisor, Susan Fuller at 252-373-9809 or email susan.fuller@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