The Children’s Courtyard

Drinking water was not freely available to children of all ages.

“During outdoor play in Space #4, drinking water was not freely available to all children. Only 11 of the 15 children present had individual water bottles. This was corrected when the administrator provided a pitcher of water and disposable cups.”

Rule Drinking water was not freely available to children of all ages.. Corrected during the inspection.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“It was confirmed during interviews that a child was left unsupervised on the playground, for approximately five (5) minutes and (45) seconds. This was corrected because during observations, all children were adequately supervised. In addition, on the day of the incident, the staff member opened the door, and let the child inside of the classroom. It was stated that all children were supervised.”

Rule Children were not adequately supervised at all times.. 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 #6, there was one electrical outlet that did not contain a safety plug. This was corrected with the administrator covered the outlet with a safety plug.”

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.

Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months.

“There was one staff member that had a medical report older than 12 months from their employment hire date. The employee’s date of hire was September 8, 2025. The medical report was dated for March 21, 2024.”

Rule Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 23, 2025. 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.

“In Space #8, there was one aerosol can stored in an unlocked cabinet, less than five feet from the floor. This was corrected when the administrator removed the aerosol can and placed in a locked storage.”

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.

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

“The drill was not practiced every three months, The last shelter in place drill was conducted on January 9, 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: Sep 10, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan.

“The EPR Plan was not on file for review.”

Rule The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 10, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“On March 7, 2024, staff members failed to provide a safe environment for a five-year-old child. The child was brought to the lobby due to exhibiting challenging behaviors. Staff members failed to intervene when the child removed items from shelves and threw them, ripped items off the wall, climbed on top of furniture, and attempted to pull a tv off the wall. Staff members failed to provide adequate supervision which created an unsafe environment when the child ran out the exit door of the facility and left the facility grounds.”

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 18, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

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: Mar 18, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“It was confirmed during interviews, that a child was left unsupervised on the playground. This was corrected because a staff member went outdoors and took the child inside and notified the administrator of the incident. The child was then taken to their classroom.”

Rule Children were not adequately supervised at all times.. Corrected during the inspection.

For children 2 years of age and older, a minimum of 60 minutes of outdoor time throughout the day was not provided.

“Children ages 0-12 in care for less than five hours per day was not provided at least 30 minutes of outdoor time throughout the day. In Space #4, it was confirmed during interviews that children are not provided a minimum of 60 minutes of outdoor time throughout the day.”

Rule For children 2 years of age and older, a minimum of 60 minutes of outdoor time throughout the day was not provided.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 28, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“In Space #6, in the bathroom used by children, there was an opening in the wall. The section was a rectangle shape and the measurements are 6 inches in length and 4 inches in width. On the border there were two loose screws. There is an opening because the toilet roll holder was removed from the wall.”

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: Dec 26, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“Frayed or cracked electrical cords were accessible to children. In Space #7, there were wires hanging out of the outlet. The hanging wire measured 6 inches from the wall.”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 26, 2023. 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. CPR certification for one staff member was not available.”

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: Dec 12, 2023. 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. First Aid certification for one staff member was not available.”

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: Dec 12, 2023. 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.

“Two staff members engaged in a verbal altercation with the use of profanity in the presence of children during today’s visit.”

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: Dec 12, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.