Circle of Friends Child Care Center

Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.

“In space #2, two children were not signed out on August 7, 2026.”

Rule Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“In space #4, seven plastic packages of Amazon Elements sensitive baby wipes were observed in an unlocked cabinet below the diaper changing table accessible to children one and two years of age. The plastic packaging contained warning labels that stated, “keep out of reach of children” and “to avoid the risk of choking and suffocation, keep wipes and plastic bags away from babies and children.””

Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.

“Allergies and special diets for five children were not posted in the kitchen where meals and snacks are prepared.”

Rule Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.. 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.

“In space #1, one electrical outlet not in use was uncovered and accessible to children on the wall beside the teacher’s desk.”

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.

The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child’s parent or health care professional.

“In space #2, a medical action plan for one child enrolled with an emergency medication for asthma was dated August 29, 2024, and a medical action plan for one child enrolled with an emergency medication for a food allergy was dated July 31, 2024. Updated medical action plans were not on file available for review.”

Rule The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child's parent or health care professional.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 16, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“In space #1, one electrical outlet not in use was uncovered and accessible to children on the wall beside a filing cabinet.”

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.

Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.

“In outdoor space #2, a yellow plastic object representing a bee on the side of the portable tree climber was cracked with sharp edges accessible to children.”

Rule Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 27, 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 monthly playground inspection report on file for review was completed on June 15, 2025.”

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: Oct 27, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).

“The criminal background qualification for one staff member, Donitia Shatley, employed on 9/23/2014, expired on 8/9/2025. The criminal background recheck was not completed until 9/30/2025. This staff member’s current qualification letter was on file for review.”

Rule Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 27, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The health assessment did not include a vision screening.

“One child initially enrolled on 8/26/2024 and enrolled in NC Pre-K on 8/25/2025 did not have a completed vision screening on file for review. The health assessment on file for this child indicated “n/a” for the vision screening.”

Rule The health assessment did not include a vision screening.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 27, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.

“The Summary of NC Child Care Law was not posted in the facility.”

Rule A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“Four aerosol cans of Santa Snow and one aerosol can of Colorations foam paint were observed in an unlocked closet accessible to children in space #1.”

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.

Children did not wash their hands upon arrival at the center, after each visit to the toilet, before eating, before and after water activity play, after outside play, and after handling animals or animal cages.

“In space #4, one child two years of age did not have their hands washed prior to eating lunch.”

Rule Children did not wash their hands upon arrival at the center, after each visit to the toilet, before eating, before and after water activity play, after outside play, and after handling animals or animal cages.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 16, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child’s file.

“An incident report for a child’s injury that occurred on 11/20/2024 did not include the time parents were notified of the incident.”

Rule Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 16, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“In space #4, two plastic bags and one Ziploc bag with safety warnings were observed in children’s cubbies accessible to children two years of age.”

Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).

“The criminal background qualification for one staff member, Courtney Gilbert-Everhart, employed on 8/22/2022, expired on 10/2/2024. The criminal background recheck was not completed until 11/27/2024. This staff member’s current qualification letter was on file for review.”

Rule Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“One new staff member employed on April 15, 2024, only received five and a half hours of orientation within the first two weeks of employment. One new staff member employed on May 6, 2024, only received four and a half hours of orientation within the first two weeks of employment.”

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: Jul 10, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.

“One new staff member employed on April 29, 2024, did not complete orientation for the topics of instruction in the employee’s assigned duties and instruction in the administration of medication.”

Rule New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 10, 2024. 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.

“The most recent shelter-in-place drill was completed on March 8, 2024.”

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: Jul 10, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prohibited styrofoam and foam rubber products were accessible to children under 3 years of age and/or approved foam products were used without proper supervision.

“In space #1, foam blocks were observed in the block activity area, foam stamps were observed in the art activity area, and foam dice were observed in the manipulative activity area accessible to one child two years of age who was visiting the classroom for the week.”

Rule Prohibited styrofoam and foam rubber products were accessible to children under 3 years of age and/or approved foam products were used without proper supervision.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on August 14, 2023.”

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: Dec 15, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.

“One child’s food allergy was not posted in the kitchen.”

Rule Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.. Corrected during the inspection.