Hickory Foundation YMCA Child Development Center

Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.

“In Space 3 from 7:33am to 7:43am, one one-year-old child was grouped with thirteen two-year-old through four-year-old children with three teachers.”

Rule Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 16, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“One uncompensated provider who was responsible for supervising a child while delivering services to the child outside of the classroom did not have a CBC qualification letter on file.”

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

Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 29, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“One staff member with a date of employment of 10/08/2024 completed their health and safety training requirements by 10/20/2025. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/02/2024 had health and safety training certificates on file dated 02/2023 which were more than twelve months old.”

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: Jan 29, 2026. 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 with a date of employment of 08/19/2025 did not have a signed acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The EPR plan was dated 09/06/2024.”

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

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“While on Outdoor Space 2, five teachers from Spaces 4, 5, and 6 did not adequately supervise children ranging in age from two-years to five-years.”

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 19, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

For children under two years of age, individualized caregiving routines such as eating, napping and toileting was not interspersed among the daily events.

“In the classroom for infant age care, naps were offered according to a scheduled morning naptime from 10:00am to 12:00pm and an afternoon naptime from 2:30pm to 3:30pm. Upon waking from sleep during the scheduled naptimes, infant age children were left in their cribs to self-soothe while other infant age children slept.”

Rule For children under two years of age, individualized caregiving routines such as eating, napping and toileting was not interspersed among the daily events.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 19, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The door to the kitchen was left open and unlocked without anyone in the space. There were kitchen items and materials which are hazardous and should not be accessible to children.”

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

“In Space 6, a bottle of disinfecting spray was stored below five feet.”

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.

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

“In Space 2, pillow covers, dramatic play set, and the changing table were visibly soiled. In Space 3, the dramatic play set, toy shelves, pillow covers and step stool were visibly soiled. In Space 4, the step stool, changing table and dramatic play sink were visibly soiled. In Space 5, the trashcan, dramatic play sink and three drawer cart were visibly soiled. In Space 6, the pillow covers and the dramatic play sink were visibly soiled.”

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: Feb 19, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.

“In Space 2 the rugs were visibly soiled and need to be cleaned or replaced. In Space 3 the walls were visibly soiled and need to be cleaned or painted.”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, 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: Feb 20, 2025. 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 file for one child did not contain documentation of a required medical exam.”

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: Feb 19, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.

“In Space 1, a permission to administer form for an over the counter (OTC) medication did not indicate in which manner the medication was to be applied. In Space 2, a permission to administer form for an OTC medication did not indicate the amount of medication to be used. In Space 4, there was not a permission to administer form to apply petroleum jelly.”

Rule Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 19, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.

“The discipline policy acknowledgement statement for two children did not include the date of enrollment as required.”

Rule Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.. Corrected during the inspection.

The center’s safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily.

“In Space 1, the center’s Safe Sleep Policy was not posted in the classroom.”

Rule The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily.. Corrected during the inspection.

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

“The finish on some furnishings including toy shelving and a child-size table and chair was worn off the wood and needed to be replaced or refinished. In Space 3, three toy shelves need to be replaced or refinished. In Space 4, 1 toy shelf needs to be replaced or refinished. In Space 5, one toy shelf, one child-size table and one child-size chair in the dramatic play area needs to be replaced or refinished.”

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: Sep 4, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.

“In Space 3, the wall by the handwashing sink was visibly soiled. In Space 4, the wall by the handwashing sink was visibly soiled, the paint was peeling in spots on the cinderblock wall, and the drywall was scarred and/or the paint was chipping in several spots.”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, 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: Sep 4, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage.

“In Space 2, the trash can lid was visibly soiled. In Space 4, the handwashing sink was visibly soiled and the faucet fixture was corroded and beginning to rust.”

Rule Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 4, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.

“In Space 2, the permission to administer authorization for one non-presciption diaper ointment had expired and the medication had not been returned to the parent within 72 hours. In Space 3, the permission to administer authorization for four non-prescription diaper ointments had expired and the medications had not been returned to the parent within 72 hours. In Space 3, six non-presciption medications had expired and the medications had not been returned to the parent within 72 hours.”

Rule Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 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 fire inspection report dated May 1, 2024 was received on May 31, 2024 by email per consultant request.”

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

Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

“In Space 1, the permission to administer forms for two non-prescription diaper ointments were missing required information. In Space 2, the permission to administer form for one non-prescription diaper ointment and one sunscreen were missing the amount to be applied.”

Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 4, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.

“One employee with a date of employment of 03/18/2024 who signed policy acknowlegdement statements on 03/08/2024 had a CBC qualification letter dated 03/15/2024. One employee with a date of employment of 07/29/2024 who signed policy acknowledgement statements on 07/15/2024 had a CBC qualification letter dated 07/18/2024. One employee with a date of employment of 08/05/2024 who signed policy acknowledgement statements on 07/17/2024 had a CBC qualification letter dated 07/19/2024.”

Rule Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 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 EPR Plan dated May 24, 2023 was not updated annually.”

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: Sep 6, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“In Space 3, the posted activity plan was dated 02/12/2024 - 02/16/2024. The teacher created a new activity plan dated 02/19/2024 - 02/23/2024 and posted it in the classroom during the visit.”

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

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

“On Outdoor Space 2, the fence by the raised garden beds had a hole underneath the fence large enough for an animal to enter the outdoor play area or a small child to crawl or slip under the fence.”

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: Mar 5, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

“In Space 1, one form for permission to administrer an over-the-counter diaper cream was missing the information for how to apply the medication. In Space 3, one medication permission to administer form authorizing administration of a presciption medication for a chronic illness was missing the valid dates the medication could be administered.”

Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.