Stepping Stone Academy

For each child being transported, the operator or other transportation provider did not have identifying information, including the child’s name, photograph, emergency contact information, and a copy of the emergency medical care information form required by Rule .1721(a )(3) in the vehicle whenever children were transported.

“Four children did not have emergency information in the vehicle for transportation.”

Rule For each child being transported, the operator or other transportation provider did not have identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information, and a copy of the emergency medical care information form required by Rule .1721(a )(3) in the vehicle whenever children were transported.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 16, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Infant feeding plans did not include the required information, including but not limited to the type and amount of milk, formula and food, and the frequency of feedings, and/or was not available for reference.

“The feeding schedule for one child was not updated.”

Rule Infant feeding plans did not include the required information, including but not limited to the type and amount of milk, formula and food, and the frequency of feedings, and/or was not available for reference.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 16, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The professional development plan was not maintained in the personnel file.

“The professional development plan was not completed.”

Rule The professional development plan was not maintained in the personnel file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 16, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The criminal background check was not available for review.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review at the facility.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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 30 days.

“The operator did not have documentation of completing safe sleep checks for the infant currently enrolled.”

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 30 days.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care.

“Clorox wipes and a can of Lysol was on the mantle in the front room not in locked storage. Granite sealer was in the unlocked cabinet underneath the bathroom sink.”

Rule Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

For off-premise activities occurring on regular basis, the standing permission for 12 months had expired.

“The field trip permission forms expired on 1/16/26.”

Rule For off-premise activities occurring on regular basis, the standing permission for 12 months had expired.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Health questionnaire was not completed annually.

“The health questionnaire was not available for review.”

Rule Health questionnaire was not completed annually.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Monthly check for hazards on the outdoor play area was not completed using a form supplied by the Division.

“The outdoor inspections were not available for review.”

Rule Monthly check for hazards on the outdoor play area was not completed using a form supplied by the Division.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Documentation of the operator’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan was not completed and/or maintained on the template provided by the Division of Emergency Management.

“The EPR Plan was not available for review.”

Rule Documentation of the operator's Emergency Preparedness and Response plan was not completed and/or maintained on the template provided by the Division of Emergency Management.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 30, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

For off-premise activities occurring on regular basis, the standing permission for 12 months had expired.

“The permission for off-premise activities expired January 2025 for the one child currently enrolled.”

Rule For off-premise activities occurring on regular basis, the standing permission for 12 months had expired.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 30, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The professional development plan was not maintained in the personnel file.

“The professional development plan was not completed for the year.”

Rule The professional development plan was not maintained in the personnel file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 30, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The qualification letter for the provider was not on file.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review at the facility.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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 30 days.

“The safe sleep checks were not available for review.”

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 30 days.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Copy of each child’s health assessment, including the operator’s own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment.

“This was not on file for one child who enrolled on 1/1/24.”

Rule Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Copy of each child’s immunization record, including the operator’s own preschool child(ren), was not on file.

“This was not on file for one child who enrolled on 1/1/24.”

Rule Copy of each child's immunization record, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not develop and adopt a written plan of care for completing routine tasks to ensure routine tasks did not interfere with the care of children during hours of operation.

“The written plan of care was not on file for one child enrolled on 7/1/24.”

Rule Operator did not develop and adopt a written plan of care for completing routine tasks to ensure routine tasks did not interfere with the care of children during hours of operation.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy.

“This was not on file for one child enrolled on 7/1/24.”

Rule Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not successfully complete a CPR course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) CPR training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.

“This was not available for review.”

Rule Operator did not successfully complete a CPR course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) CPR training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not successfully complete a first aid course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) First aid training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.

“This was not available for review.”

Rule Operator did not successfully complete a first aid course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) First aid training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator or other transportation provider did not comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations concerning vehicles and the transportation of passengers.

“The tags for the vehicle used for transportation expired 6/24.”

Rule Operator or other transportation provider did not comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations concerning vehicles and the transportation of passengers.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to each child’s parent, guardian, or full-time custodian before the child was enrolled in the home and/or signed statement was not on file.

“This was not on file for one child enrolled on 7/1/24.”

Rule Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to each child's parent, guardian, or full-time custodian before the child was enrolled in the home and/or signed statement was not on file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage.

“There was a bottle of adult multi-purpose vitamins on the counter in the children’s bathroom.”

Rule All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage.. Corrected during the inspection.

Operator and/or staff who work with children, did not complete health and safety training as part of on-going training so that every five years, all the topic areas were covered.

“The operator had not completed the final Health and Safety training in 2023, as discussed during the 7/17/23 Annual Compliance visit.”

Rule Operator and/or staff who work with children, did not complete health and safety training as part of on-going training so that every five years, all the topic areas were covered.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 5, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy.

“The infant did not have the signed information on file.”

Rule Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not provide a written statement to parents regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction.

“The infant did not have a signed statement on file.”

Rule Operator did not provide a written statement to parents regarding 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: Jan 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Sleeping infants, ages 12 months and younger were not visually checked every 15 minutes.

Rule Sleeping infants, ages 12 months and younger were not visually checked every 15 minutes.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill.

“The last documented fire drill was conducted on 7/12/23.”

Rule The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the drill record was incomplete.

“The last documented lockdown drill was conducted on 5/3/23.”

Rule The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the 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: Jan 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.