The Sandbox Early Learning Center, LLC.

A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child’s parent or authorized health professional.

“In space 1, there was a tube of Desitin with no over the counter medication administration permission forms.”

Rule A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.

“In space 1, there was one (1) jar of Rexall petroleum jelly with expiration date of April 18, 2026.”

Rule A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 22, 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.

“Safety plugs were missing from electrical outlets in the hall by the entrance, in space 2 by the cubbies and by the doll house and in space 3 by the sink.”

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.

Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.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 1, there was a tube of Eucerin (April 28, 2026 – June 28, 2026) and a tube of Desitin (October 5, 2025 – October 6, 2026) with expired over the counter medication administration permission forms.”

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Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization..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: Oct 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.

“The Emergency Medical plan was dated February 15, 2024.”

Rule The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child’s parent or authorized health professional.

“In space 1, there was no medication authorization for Clotrimazole Betamethasone Dipropionate on file. In space 2, there was no medication authorization for a tube of Desitin and a tube of Aquaphor on file. In space 2, there was a medication authorization for Desitin, but A and D diaper cream was present.”

Rule A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 19, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The cushions around the sandbox on the toddler playground were deteriorating and the internal stuffing was exposed.”

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: Jun 19, 2026. 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.

“A bottle of White Out was stored on top of the cubbies in Space 1 and was not locked.”

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.

Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child’s parent.

“One (1) child’s file did not have authorization for emergency medical care signed by the parent.”

Rule Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 19, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.

“In space 1, the Clotrimazole Betamethasone Dipropionate was not in locked storage container.”

Rule Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.. Corrected during the inspection.

Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional.

“In space 1, the Clotrimazole Betamethasone Dipropionate was not in the original prescription box.”

Rule Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician 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: Jun 19, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A child’s file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of receipt of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not available for a child enrolled on December 1, 2025.”

Rule A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of receipt of the center’s safe sleep policy was not available for a child enrolled on December 1, 2025.”

Rule A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 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.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of receipt of the Summary of NC Child Care Law was not available for a child enrolled on December 1, 2025.”

Rule A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 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. An employee hired on August 15, 2025 and required to complete CPR by November 15, 2025 did not complete it until November 24, 2025. An employee hired on February 7, 2025 and required to complete CPR by May 7, 2025 did not complete it until November 24, 2025.”

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

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. An employee hired on August 15, 2025 and required to complete First Aid by November 15, 2025 did not complete it until November 24, 2025. An employee hired on February 7, 2025 and required to complete First Aid by May 7, 2025 did not complete it until November 24, 2025.”

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

An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child’s parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted.

“(omit posting for centers located in a residence). A written feeding plan was not available for a child, three months of age, enrolled on December 1, 2025”

Rule An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child's parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“The staff medical report for an employee hired on August 15, 2025 was not received until August 27, 2025. The staff medical report for an employee hired on September 8, 2025 was not received until September 15, 2025.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of immunizations was not available for a child enrolled on January 6, 2025.”

Rule Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization 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: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.

“Staff/child ratios were not met for approximately one minute during naptime in the room for children, one year of age, when the second teacher required to meet ratios left the room to go on break.”

Rule Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months.

“The TB screening for an employee hired on August 15, 2025 was not received until August 27, 2025. A current TB screening/test for an employee hired on September 8, 2025 was not available.”

Rule On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening 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: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of receipt of the parent handbook was not available for a child enrolled on December 1, 2025.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of receipt of the parent participation plan included in the parent handbook was not available for a child enrolled on December 1, 2025.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child’s file.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of receipt of the discipline policy was not available for a child enrolled on December 1, 2025.”

Rule Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in 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 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction.

“In one of five children’s files reviewed, documentation of receipt of the smoking and tobacco restriction was not available for a child enrolled on December 1, 2025.”

Rule The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child’s parent or authorized health professional.

“In Space 5, two diaper creams had medication permission forms, but parents did not include all required information such as “amount”, “when and where to apply” and “how to apply”.”

Rule A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 7, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“A Staff Medical Report was not available for a staff member rehired on June 24, 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: Feb 13, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.

“In Space 5, a tube of Cortizone 10 was stored out of reach of children but was not locked.”

Rule Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.. Corrected during the inspection.

On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months.

“Documentation of a TB Screening or negative TB Test was not available for a staff member rehired on June 24, 2024.”

Rule On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening 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: Feb 13, 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).

“A staff member due to complete a five-year CBC by September 20, 2024 did not complete it until October 23, 2024. A staff member due to complete a five-year CBC by December 17, 2024 did not complete it until January 16, 2025.”

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.

Questionable medication instructions from parents were followed without signed written dosage instructions received from physician or authorized health professional.

“The medication permission form for Cortizone 10 was completed by the parent but was not accompanied by a physician’s note. Directions for application on the tube stated, “Children under two years of age; ask a doctor.””

Rule Questionable medication instructions from parents were followed without signed written dosage instructions received from physician or authorized health professional.. Corrected during the inspection.