Avery’s Creek Head Start

A child’s file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information.

“Acknowledgement of receipt of program’s Shaken Baby Policy was not on file for one (1) child whose date of birth being 7/20/21.”

Rule A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 9, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.

“A lesson plan posted was dated 3/23/26 - 3/27/26.”

Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Corrected during the inspection.

Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.

“An outlet next to the paper towel dispenser in the bathroom did not have a cover.”

Rule Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.. Corrected during the inspection.

Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child’s file.

“Signed/dated discipline policy was not maintained on child’s file for one (1) child whose date of birth being 7/20/21.”

Rule Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 9, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.

“The records of Health and Safety Training did not include “Medication in Child Care” training certificate for a staff member who was employed on 8/12/22.”

Rule Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 2, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet.

“A can of Clorox disinfecting/sanitizing spray was on the top shelf in a cabinet in the bathroom. The key to the cabinet had been left in the lock.”

Rule All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet.. Corrected during the inspection.

The license was not posted in a prominent place at all times.

“The license posted in the classroom was a four-star center license issued on 2/25/23. A five-star center license was issued on 5/23/25, but it was not posted.”

Rule The license was not posted in a prominent place at all times.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 16, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A child was yelled at, shamed, humiliated, frightened, threatened or bullied.

Rule A child was yelled at, shamed, humiliated, frightened, threatened or bullied.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 30, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

A violation was found for which there is no item number.

“A lead teacher did not submit his/her education within six (6) months of employment to verify his/her lead teacher qualification. This staff member submitted his/her transcript and received a letter on 4/23/25.”

Rule A violation was found for which there is no item number.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A violation was found for which there is no item number.

“Three (3) ants were crawling on the counter top during the visit.”

Rule A violation was found for which there is no item number.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.

“Due to technical issues, the current lesson plans, the health questionnaire and emergency information form for staff member hired on 5/30/23 and a child’s immunization record were not available for review.”

Rule All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.

“The most recent playground inspection was completed and dated 2/24/25.”

Rule Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.

“The refrigerator temperatures at 9:32 am was forty-six (46) degrees. I re-checked the temperature approximately an hour later, and it was still forty-six (46) degrees.”

Rule Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 30, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.

“N. Norris had a criminal background letter issued on 10/4/19, which expired on 10/4/24 in the file. Per AMCMS, Mr./Ms. Norris renewed the background check and was issued a letter through 10/25/29. However, the letter was not printed and maintained in the file.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.

“During the visit, yogurt, banana and milk were served as breakfast. On the menu, yogurt, strawberry and milk were listed for today’s breakfast. No substitution items were listed on the menu.”

Rule Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.

“Per Emergency Drill Log, you practiced shelter-in-place and lockdown drill on 9/12/25.”

Rule Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.

“Active ant mounds were located throughout the playground area during gross motor play.”

Rule A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 13, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.

“Staff member hired 3/25/2024 first two weeks of orientation totaled five (5) hours instead of the required six (6) hours.”

Rule Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 13, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.

“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last approved fire inspection was conducted on 2/23/2023. The fire inspection conducted on 1/22/2024 was marked unsatisfactory.”

Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 13, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.

“The trained staff did not review the EPR plan annually. EPR plan on-site was dated 1/31/2023.”

Rule The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 13, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Toxic plants were accessible to children.

“Golden pothos “devils ivy” was located in the classroom on top of the puzzle shelf in front of the window. During the visit, the lead teacher moved it to the top of the storage shelf in the restroom until she is able to take it home.”

Rule Toxic plants were accessible to children.. Corrected during the inspection.

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.

“Current activity plan was not posted for reference. The activity plan posted was dated 10/16/23-10/20/23 and stated to continue for week 10/24/23- 10/28/23.”

Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 29, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.

“Staff member BH hired 5/30/23 did not complete six (6) clock hours of training within the first two weeks of employment. The Documentation of Orientation documented a total of five (5) hours.”

Rule Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 29, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.