First Steps Learning Center, Inc.

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 member with a hire date of August 5, 2025, did not obtain a medical report until September 4, 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.

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.

“Clorox, laundry detergent, bulk hand soap, and Fabulosa were stored in an unlocked closet.”

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.

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.

“In the space designated for infants, the posted activity plan was dated for 8/19/2024 through 8/23/2024.”

Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Corrected during the inspection.

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. One staff member who had been employed more than 90 days did not have current CPR certification.”

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: Aug 1, 2024. 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. One staff member who had been employed more than 90 days did not have current First Aid certification.”

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: Aug 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The most recent shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was completed more than three months ago on March 14, 2024.”

Rule Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or 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 23, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff did not model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs in the presence of children in care.

“A bottle of soda with more than half of its contents gone, was observed sitting on a shelf in space 4.”

Rule Staff did not model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs in the presence of children in care.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“One enrolled child did not have a signed statement by a parent on file, acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy.”

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: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

A violation was found for which there is no item number.

“Bags of cereal were not stored in an approved, clean, tightly covered, storage containers once the original package is opened. This is a violation of 15A NCAC 18A .2806(a).”

Rule A violation was found for which there is no item number.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

All staff did not review the center’s EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff.

“Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. An annual review of the center’s EPR plan was not conducted for eight (8) employees.”

Rule All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 11, 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. CPR training for one employee expired on June 17, 2023.”

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: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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. First Aid training an employee expired on June 17, 2023.”

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: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Each employee’s personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies.

“One employee personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they had received personnel and operational policies.”

Rule Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.

“Eight employees did not have annual staff evaluations on file.”

Rule Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“An employee with a start date of 1/2/2024 did not have documentation of six clock hours of training in required topic areas on file.”

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: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“An enrolled child did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file.”

Rule Medical exam or health assessment 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 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.

“Posted menus were dated for May 17-24, 2024.”

Rule Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.. Corrected during the inspection.

Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.

“The facility has not completed a monthly outdoor inspection.”

Rule Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“An employee with a hire date of 1/2/2024 did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation as required by the rule.”

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: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“In spaces 1 and 2, albuterol inhaler pumps for two (2) enrolled children were not in their original labeled containers.”

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 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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.

“An employee with a hire date of 1/2/2024 did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training as required by the rule.”

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: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“The EMC plan was not reviewed annually for eight (8) employees.”

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: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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.

“An employee with a start date of 1/2/2024 did not have a signed acknowledgement on file as required by the rule.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 11, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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.

“An enrolled child did not have a signed statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file.”

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: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.

“The facility did not have a copy of the summary of NC Child Care Laws posted as required by the rule.”

Rule A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 28, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

A violation was found for which there is no item number.

“Various bags of snacks and cereals were not stored in an approved, clean, tightly covered, storage containers once the original package is opened. This is a violation of 15A NCAC 18A .2806(a)”

Rule A violation was found for which there is no item number.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 30, 2024. 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 4, a bottle of body spray with an aerosol dispenser was not stored in a locked cabinet.”

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.

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance.

“In space 1, daily attendance was not maintained.”

Rule Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“In space 1, one caregiver was observed with 15 children when the staff/child ratio for the children in care was 1:9.”

Rule Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The date of the last monthly fire drill could not be determined. The dates indicated on the log were dates that had not occurred as of today’s visit and on a date that included a weekend when children were not in care.”

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: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“Diaper cream was not discarded or returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs.

“The facility was serving 2% milk instead of low or no fat milk as required by the rule.”

Rule Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 28, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“One child did not have a health assessment on file.”

Rule Medical exam or health assessment 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: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.

“Posted menus were dated for April 29-May 3, 2024.”

Rule Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.

“The date of the last monthly playground inspection could not be determined. The dates indicated on the monthly outdoor playground inspections were dates that had not occurred as of today’s visit.”

Rule Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

“Permission to administer medication authorization forms did not include children names, dosage, frequency to administer and/or parent signature.”

Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Two albuterol inhaler pumps were not in the original labeled containers.”

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: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child’s parent or health care professional.

“Medical action plans for two enrolled children did not include the required information.”

Rule The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child's parent 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: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The operator made an effort to falsify information.

“The fire drill logs reflected a date of April 14, 2024, which fell on a Sunday, was not a day that children were in care. The following date of May 18, 2024, had not occurred at the time of the visit. Monthly playground logs were signed and predated for May 24, 2024 and June 1, 2024.”

Rule The operator made an effort to falsify information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.