Stepping Stones Learning Academy #6, LLC

Center staff did not follow the EMC plan.

“It was confirmed during interviews, that a child woke up from naptime with “blue”, “light blue”, and “pale lips”. The EMC was not followed. This was corrected when the staff member completed the incident report. The EMC plan was reviewed with all staff August 6, 2026.”

Rule Center staff did not follow the EMC plan.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“During interviews, it was confirmed that a child woke up from naptime, and the child’s lips were “blue”, “pale”, “light blue”. The parent was notified at pick-up, and it was stated that the parent, and the staff both noticed that the child’s lips were “blue”. An incident report was not completed. This was corrected when the staff member completed the incident report during today’s visit.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The last shelter in place drill was January 16, 2025. The shelter in place or lockdown drill’s record was incomplete. This was corrected when the administrator conducted a shelter-in-place drill and the record was completed. This was also corrected when the administrator completed the record sheet for the drill that was conducted on January 16, 2025.”

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

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.

“One staff member did not receive Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.”

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: May 29, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.

“The summary of NC Child Care Law was not in one of the nine children files reviewed. The date of enrollment was August 12, 2024. This was corrected when the parent arrived later in the visit and was able to sign that the document was received.”

Rule A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled 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.

“In an unlocked cabinet, there was one aerosol can of Febreze stored in an unlocked cabinet, greater than five feet from the floor. This was corrected when the administrator removed the aerosol can and placed in a locked area.”

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.

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.

“The written permission was not in one of the nine children files reviewed. The date of enrollment was August 12, 2024. This was corrected when the parent arrived later in the visit and was able to sign that the document was received.”

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.

Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child’s first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes.

“The operational policy signed receipt, was not in one of the nine children files reviewed. The date of enrollment was August 12, 2024. This was corrected when the parent arrived later in the visit and was able to sign that the document was received.”

Rule Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes.. Corrected during the inspection.

Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child’s first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center.

“The parent participation plan’s receipt of copy was not in one of the nine children files reviewed. The date of enrollment was August 12, 2024. This was corrected when the parent arrived later in the visit and was able to sign that the document was received.”

Rule Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center.. 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 safe sleep policy was not posted in the classroom. This was corrected when the administrator posted the safe sleep policy 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.

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

“A staff member failed to treat children in a nurturing or appropriate manner when she yelled at children and used profanity in their presence.”

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 7, 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 #3, there was one bottle of disinfectant and one bottle of sanitizer stored in an unlocked cabinet, less than 5 feet from the floor. The administrator locked the cabinet and stored the key in a different location.”

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.

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.

“There were three electrical outlets that were not covered with safety plugs. The electrical outlets were corrected and covered with safety plugs.”

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.

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

“The Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months or the drill record was incomplete. The last drill on record occurred on July 28, 2023. The lockdown drill was conducted during today’s visit and this violation was corrected.”

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