The Growing Patch Child Development Center

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. Lamora began employment on October 13, 2025, did not have documentation of completing a medical assessment.”

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

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.

“A child with an enrollment date of September 2, 2025, had an immunization record on file; however, the immunization record was dated December 22, 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.

“The last fire drill conducted was on February 23, 2026, there was not a fire drill conducted for the month of March 2026.”

Rule Fire drills were not practiced monthly 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: Apr 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“A child with an enrollment date of September 2, 2025, had a medical assessment on file; however, the assessment was dated December 22, 2025.”

Rule Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.. Corrected during the inspection.

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.

“A. Lamora began employment on October 13, 2025, did not have documentation of completing at least 16 hours of orientation.”

Rule New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“A. Lamora began employment on October 13, 2025, did not have documentation of having a negative TB test on file.”

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

Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.

“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last fire inspection was completed on October 16, 2024. A fire inspection should have been completed in the month of October 2025.”

Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 6, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.

“H. Dunn, administrator, did not have on-going training hours available for review. Ms. Dunn needs eight (8) hours of on-going training.”

Rule Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“A. Lamora began employment on October 13, 2025, did not have documentation of completing the recognizing and responding to suspicions of child maltreatment training.”

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

The staff/child ratio for the youngest child was not maintained when children of all ages were cared for together in groups for the first and last operating hour of the day.

“On February 20, 2026, from 6:30am-6:56am, in space number three (3), while combing children, ratio was not maintained for the youngest child. On March 4, 2026,from 6:30am-7:40am space number three (3) and space number (2), while combing children, ratio was not maintained for the youngest child present.”

Rule The staff/child ratio for the youngest child was not maintained when children of all ages were cared for together in groups for the first and last operating hour of the day.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S.

“110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. T. Andrews first day of employment was July 14, 2025 and B. Shoop’s first day of employment was September 4, 2025, neither staff member was connected to the ABCMS criminal background check portal.”

Rule A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 13, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“T. Andrews first day of employment was July 14, 2025. Ms. Andrews did not have documentation of completing Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment.”

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: Nov 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.

“P. Taylor had documentation of the health and safety trainings; however, they were dated May 23, 2018. D. Stancil also had documentation of the health and safety trainings; however, they were dated November 4, 2017. Ms. Taylor had documentation of completing the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training; however, the training was dated June 18, 2019. These trainings need to be completed every five (5) years.”

Rule Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 22, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older.

“In space number three (3) there were ten (10) children present in the room with two (2) teachers, M. Bullock and K. Ellis. There were five (5) two-year-old children, four (4) one-year children, and one (1) child who was 11 months old.”

Rule Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 24, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“Upon observation of each of the classrooms, in space number five (5), there was a space heater plugged-in; however, it was not in use. There was also a space heater in space number three (3) stored in the cabinet under the counter. There was a space heater located outside the door leading to the outside of space number four (4). It was stated that space heaters have been used to heat the classrooms during the time of the heat not working.”

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 23, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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. K. Landvater, began employment on May 15, 2024. She had First Aid documentation; however, the training was provided by New Life CPR. New Life CPR is not an approved list of organizations that provide CPR and First Aids.”

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: Jan 14, 2025. 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. K. Landvater, began employment on May 15, 2024. She had First Aid documentation; however, the training was provided by New Life CPR. New Life CPR is not on the approved list of organizations that provide CPR and First Aids.”

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: Jan 14, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.

“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. A fire inspection was completed on October 16, 2024; however, you did not submit the fire inspection to your child care consultant within one (1) week of the inspection.”

Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Corrected during the inspection.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

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 23, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center’s EPR Plan and its location.

“Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. V. Pierce, Volunteer was in space number two (#2), did not have documentation of reviewing the EPR Plan.”

Rule Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 27, 2024. 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.

“Two (2) children in space number two (2) had albuterol inhalers, but neither of the children had permission to administer medication forms on file.”

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 17, 2024. 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.

“One child with an enrollment date of January 15, 2024 had a summary of the NC Child Care Law on file; however it was dated February 23, 2024.”

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.

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.

“K. Landvater began employment on May 15, 2024, and had a medical on file for review; however, the medical assessment was dated May 22, 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.. 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.

“One child with an enrollment date of April 16, 2024, did not have an immunization record on file. One child with an enrollment date of January 15, 2024, had an immunization record on file for review dated April 12, 2024; however, it was on file after the 30 days of enrollment.”

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: Jun 17, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Emergency and identifying information, including the child’s name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported.

“You had emergency information, including the child’s name, emergency contact information, but did not have a picture of each child included in this information.”

Rule Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 17, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“One child with an enrollment date of January 15, 2024, had a medical assessment on file for review dated April 19, 2024; however, it was on file after the 30 days of enrollment.”

Rule Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.. 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.

“One child with an enrollment date of January 15, 2024 had Operational policies dated February 23, 2024.”

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.

“One child with an enrollment date of January 15, 2024 had a parent participation plan dated for February 23, 2024.”

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.

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).

“Darnita Stancil’s criminal background check (CBC) expired on March 15, 2024.”

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).. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 17, 2024. 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.

“One child with an enrollment date of January 15, 2024, had a discipline policy available for review was dated February 23, 2024.”

Rule Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file.. Corrected during the inspection.

The child care provider and/or household member who incurred pending charges, indictments, or convictions since their last qualification letter was issued by the Division, did not notify the operator of these charges within five business days or before returning to work.

“The operator did not notify the Division of these pending charges, indictments, or convictions within one business day of being notified by the child care provider or household member. H. Varnell, administrator did not notify the Division that one of her employees had a pending charge.”

Rule The child care provider and/or household member who incurred pending charges, indictments, or convictions since their last qualification letter was issued by the Division, did not notify the operator of these charges within five business days or before returning to work.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 17, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“There was not an updated EPR plan on file and the available for review did not have a revision date on it.”

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: Jun 27, 2024. 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.

“One child with an enrollment date of January 15, 2024, had a smoking and tobacco restriction available for review dated February 23, 2024.”

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

“New employee, Leslie Horton, with her first day of employment as January 29, 2024, did not have a medical statement on file prior to her first day of employment.”

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

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.

“Ms. Horton’s first day of employment was 1/29/24 and there was a not a negative TB test on file for review.”

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

The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person’s file.

“Ms. Horton had proof of review of the prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy on file, however the policy was signed on February 1, 2024, and her first day of employment was January 29, 2024.”

Rule The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file.. Corrected during the inspection.

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.

“Ms. Clayton began working on January 2, 2024, and did not have documentation of orientation within the first two weeks of hire.”

Rule Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 8, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“In space number five (#5) there were ten (10) one-year-olds and one (1) two-year-old present for a total of eleven children. There was only one teacher present.”

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: Feb 8, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

For each child, there was not at least 30 sq. ft. inside space per the total licensed capacity and 100 sq. ft. outside space for each child using the outdoor learning environment at any one time.

“In room number four (#4) there were 19 children present, which consisted of Twelve (12) two-year-old children and nine (9) three-year-old children. The room capacity for space #4 is 18 children. MS. Varnell moved one child to space Number five (#5).”

Rule For each child, there was not at least 30 sq. ft. inside space per the total licensed capacity and 100 sq. ft. outside space for each child using the outdoor learning environment at any one time.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 8, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.

“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last fire inspection was conducted on October 19, 2024, however it was not submitted to the child care consultant within a week of completion.”

Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Corrected during the inspection.

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.

“Angelina Clayton is a new employee and began work on January 2, 2024, Ms. Clayton did not have a qualifying criminal back ground check on file.”

Rule Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 8, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.