Brighter Minds Childcare

Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.

“A plastic bag was stored in an unlocked drawer that was accessible to children.”

Rule Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 25, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to enrollment of children in a Family Child Care Home, and before animals come into the Family Child Care Home, the operator did not obtain each parent’s signature on a form acknowledging the type of animal located on the premises and where the animal will be kept during child care operating hours and /or the signed form was not maintained in the child’s file.

“Animal acknowledgement forms were not on file for any of the children.”

Rule Prior to enrollment of children in a Family Child Care Home, and before animals come into the Family Child Care Home, the operator did not obtain each parent's signature on a form acknowledging the type of animal located on the premises and where the animal will be kept during child care operating hours and /or the signed form was not maintained in the child's file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 25, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Written record of up-to-date pet vaccinations as required by NC law and local ordinances, including rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, was not available.

“The provider’s daughter’s dog, who was staying in the house today, did not have vaccinations available for review.”

Rule Written record of up-to-date pet vaccinations as required by NC law and local ordinances, including rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, was not available.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 25, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Individual who provides care for 5 hours or more a week, did not complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training.

“The provider completed training in 2018 but has not renewed it within the last five years.”

Rule Individual who provides care for 5 hours or more a week, did not complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 20, 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.

“No outdoor inspection was documented in December 2025.”

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: Jan 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not retain the safe sleep acknowledgement in the child’s records as long as the child was enrolled.

“A newly enrolled infant did not have a signed safe sleep policy in their file.”

Rule Operator did not retain the safe sleep acknowledgement in the child's records as long as the child was enrolled.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training.

“The provider’s ITS-SIDS training expired on 10/7/25 and has not been renewed.”

Rule Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 18, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.

“Plastic bags were within children’s reach in an unlocked storage cabinet in the caregiving space.”

Rule Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill.

“No fire drill was documented in December 2025.”

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 20, 2026. 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 quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill was conducted in September 2025. No drill was documented when it was due in December 2025.”

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 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All indoor and outdoor areas used by the children were not kept clean, orderly, and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children including removal of items a child can swallow; the removal of loose nails or screws and splinters on inside; and use of outdoor equipment that is too hot to touch.

“A picnic table located in the children’s outdoor play area had a broken board with exposed nails.”

Rule All indoor and outdoor areas used by the children were not kept clean, orderly, and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children including removal of items a child can swallow; the removal of loose nails or screws and splinters on inside; and use of outdoor equipment that is too hot to touch.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 29, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.

“Plastic storage bags and batteries were stored in unlocked drawers accessible to children.”

Rule Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.. Corrected during the inspection.

Written feeding schedule was not on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or was not updated regularly to reflect changes in the child’s needs.

“The feeding plan on file for a four-month-old child had not been completed or signed by the child’s parent.”

Rule Written feeding schedule was not on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or was not updated regularly to reflect changes in the child's needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 29, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Accurate records were not maintained for all staff and children.

“A child enrolled on 10/2/24 did not have a file available for review.”

Rule Accurate records were not maintained for all staff and children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

An infant was observed sleeping in a seating device.

“An infant was observed sleeping in a swing and was not moved to a crib.”

Rule An infant was observed sleeping in a seating device.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 5, 2025. 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.

“No sleep log was available for review for the month of January 2025.”

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 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Hazardous cleaning supplies and other items that might be poisonous e.g. toxic plants, were not out of reach or in locked storage when children were in care.

“Glass cleaner was stored on a countertop that was not five feet above the floor.”

Rule Hazardous cleaning supplies and other items that might be poisonous e.g. toxic plants, were not out of reach or 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 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Screen time was not prohibited for children under the age of three.

“The operator did not offer alternative activities for children under the age of three years. A tv screen was on and playing a cartoon in the caregiving space. All children present were under the age of three years old.”

Rule Screen time was not prohibited for children under the age of three.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Accurate records were not maintained for all staff and children.

“One child currently enrolled did not the following records on file: application, receipt of discipline form, receipt of written plan of care, receipt of summary of child care law, receipt of operational policies.”

Rule Accurate records were not maintained for all staff and children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Personal medication for a relative was in the child care space not in locked storage.”

Rule All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 12, 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.

“Two children currently enrolled did not have this information on file.”

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: Aug 19, 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.

“Two children currently enrolled did not have this information on file.”

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: Aug 19, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Documentation of the operator’s emergency medical care plan to follow in the event of a child medical emergency, was not on file and available for review.

“This was not on file.”

Rule Documentation of the operator’s emergency medical care plan to follow in the event of a child medical emergency, was not on file and available for review.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Health questionnaire was not completed annually.

“The last documented health questionnaire on file was completed 10/5/22.”

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: Aug 12, 2024. 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 last outdoor inspection was completed on 4/2/24.”

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: Aug 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator’s own preschool children.

“Daily attendance records were not available for review.”

Rule Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator's own preschool children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 12, 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.

“Two children currently enrolled did not have this 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: Aug 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.

“Plastic bags were stored in unlocked cabinets accessible to the children under the age of three.”

Rule Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.. Corrected during the inspection.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill The last documented fire drill was conducted on 4/2/24.”

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: Aug 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted with the facility’s license in a prominent place in the home.

“This was not posted in the fcch today.”

Rule Summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted with the facility's license in a prominent place in the home.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 12, 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 drill was conducted on 3/4/24.”

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: Aug 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“This 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: Aug 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator’s own preschool children.

“Daily attendance was not being documented daily.”

Rule Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator's own preschool children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.