Firststart Kids Academy

Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services.

“A child enrolled in Space 2 did not have a medical action plan on file for asthma.”

Rule Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Application for enrollment did not include all required information.

“The application for enrollment for two children (DOE: 9/12/24 and 5/6/2026) did not include particular fears, allergies and symptoms, unique behavior characteristics, or health care concerns.”

Rule Application for enrollment did not include all required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider.

“Two children, last transported on 9/28/2026 did not have written permission on file which included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider.”

Rule Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider.. Corrected during the inspection.

Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.

“In Space 8, I observed a sleeping infant and no documentation indicating the child had been visually checked. The staff member documented the child had been asleep since 9:20 am.”

Rule Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.. Corrected during the inspection.

Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years.

“Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. The ITS-SIDS training for staff member assigned to the infant room (DOH: 12/28/23) expired on 5/11/2025.”

Rule Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.

“Two staff member’s (DOH: 12/28/23 and 1/1/21) personnel’s file did not contain an annual staff evaluation.”

Rule Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Emergency information did not name childs health care professional.

“The emergency information for a child enrolled on 9/12/2024 did not have a choice of health care professional documented.”

Rule Emergency information did not name childs health care professional.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“A medical exam or health assessment was not on file for a child enrolled on 5/6/2026.”

Rule Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The written feeding plan did not include the child’s name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center.

“The written feeding plan for two children enrolled in Space 8 did not include a parent signature.”

Rule The written feeding plan did not include the child's name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.

“A teacher in the Two’s classroom grabbed a child by their arm and forcefully swung the child away from the gate and on to the carpet in the classroom.”

Rule A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 11, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“On July 11, 2025 a two year old child was left unattended in the Two’s classroom.”

Rule Children were not adequately supervised at all times.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 11, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.

“Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 11/17/22 did not have a CPR certificate on file and available for review.”

Rule All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 16, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.

“Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 11/17/22 did not have a First Aid certificate on file and available for review.”

Rule All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 16, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.

“A staff member hired on 1/1/21 did not have a Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment certificate on file and available for review.”

Rule The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 16, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.

“A teacher in space #2 removed a three year old child from the classroom and dragged them down the hallway of the facility by their ankle, to another classroom.”

Rule A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 21, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.

“A staff member pulled a one-year-old child by one arm to redirect the child away from another child.”

Rule Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 26, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Child was handled roughly.

“Child was handled rough when removed from classroom. Child was handled rough when placed in a chair and on carpet.”

Rule Child was handled roughly.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 27, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.

“A three-year-old child was yelled at and told to lay down and be quiet at nap time. A three-year-old was not assisted with their personal hygiene process.”

Rule Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 27, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.

“Teacher was not feeding and caring for infants in a nurturing way. It was observed from a video that the teacher was feeding an infant a bottle in a harsh manner.”

Rule Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 14, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“There was an exposed storm drain on the 2-year-old playground that is hazardous and children have access to.”

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: Oct 15, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“Eight staff verified phone usage in the classroom while children were present.”

Rule Children were not adequately supervised 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 15, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.

“During four staff interviews specific times were stated when children were not verbally and physically cared for in a nurturing manner.”

Rule Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 15, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“Teachers stated that children are not supervised at all times in the classrooms and on the playground.”

Rule Children were not adequately supervised at all times.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 3, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.

“Incident log was not complete for the month of March and April 2024.”

Rule Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 3, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff did not wash their hands thoroughly before beginning work, before/after handling food, before bottle feeding or serving to other children, after toileting or handling body fluids, after diaper changing and after handling soiled items.

“Staff did not wash hands after cleaning a child’s nose.”

Rule Staff did not wash their hands thoroughly before beginning work, before/after handling food, before bottle feeding or serving to other children, after toileting or handling body fluids, after diaper changing and after handling soiled items.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 3, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

“Some playground toys were not in good repair and all toys need to be washed.”

Rule All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 22, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair.

“Walls in all classroom need to be cleaned and or painted.”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair.. 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.

Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.

“3 employees did not have the emergency information form on file before the first day of work.”

Rule Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 22, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices.

“In the toddlers classrooms there was not a sufficient quantity of toys for children.”

Rule For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 22, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

“5 diaper creams forms did not have the amount of cream to be applied.”

Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Corrected during the inspection.

The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.

“On the school age playground and the older preschool playground the surfacing was not critical height of equipment.”

Rule The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 22, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person’s file.

“One staff member that started 10/30/23 has not completed the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy.”

Rule The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 22, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.