Little Stepping Stones

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

“A current lesson plan was missing from the classroom designated for infants.”

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

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

“On playground 3 near the exterior fence the bottom of the gate was exposed along with a hole about 6 inches deep.”

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: Sep 14, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The speech therapist did not have a valid qualification letter on file.”

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

“A can of air freshener was stored in an unlocked cabinet. Diaper cream was stored on a cart accessible to children in a bathroom.”

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.

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 one month.

“A week of safe sleep check were missing”

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 one month.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 14, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Six (6) staff did not have an annual staff evaluation.”

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: Sep 14, 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.

“Outlets were missing in the classroom designated for infants and the classroom designated for three years old children.”

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.

“Aquaphor diaper cream was expired.”

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.

Children did not wash their hands upon arrival at the center, after each visit to the toilet, before eating, before and after water activity play, after outside play, and after handling animals or animal cages.

“An infant’s hands were not washed prior to a bottle feeding.”

Rule Children did not wash their hands upon arrival at the center, after each visit to the toilet, before eating, before and after water activity play, after outside play, and after handling animals or animal cages.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 9, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child did not have an opportunity to be outdoors daily, if weather conditions permitted.

“A teacher reported that in the classroom designated for one year old children did not go outside this week.”

Rule Each child did not have an opportunity to be outdoors daily, if weather conditions permitted.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 9, 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.

“In two classrooms, electrical outlets were not covered with safety plugs.”

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.

The center did not follow all procedures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases described in 15A NCAC 18A .2800.

“Following a confirmed case of norovirus and E. coli, fifty three (53) children and staff have been excluded from care or work due to symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.”

Rule The center did not follow all procedures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases described in 15A NCAC 18A .2800.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 9, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The center did not separate from others those children who became ill or who were suspected of being ill with a communicable disease or condition that would exclude them from care.

“The facility does not have a designated area for children that become ill and/or are suspected of being ill with a communicable disease. The administrator stated that children that are sick children remain in their designated classrooms until the child(ren) can be picked up by a parent or guardian.”

Rule The center did not separate from others those children who became ill or who were suspected of being ill with a communicable disease or condition that would exclude them from care.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 9, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“A current activity plan was not posted for the children in the Toddler 1 class.”

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

All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.

“A file was not available for one staff member.”

Rule All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 12, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The center’s safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily.

“The safe sleep policy was not posted.”

Rule The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 12, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

There was no written emergency medical care (EMC) plan.

“The Emergency Medical Care Plan was not posted.”

Rule There was no written emergency medical care (EMC) plan.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 12, 2025. 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.

“Aerosol air freshener was in unlocked storage in space 1 & 2.”

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.

“The activity plan in the classroom for the Toddlers was posted, but could not be seen be easily seen by the parents because last week’s plan was on top.”

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

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

“A NC Summary of Child Care Law was not posted.”

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

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.

“An electrical outlet in the Prek 1 class was not being used and was not covered.”

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.

The child care provider did not provide the required beverage(s).

“In the refrigerator there was reduced fat (2%) milk rather than low fat (1%) or skim milk.”

Rule The child care provider did not provide the required beverage(s).. 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.

There was no written emergency medical care (EMC) plan.

“The emergency medical care plan was not posted.”

Rule There was no written emergency medical care (EMC) plan.. 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.

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

“The current activity plan was not posted where it could be seen by the parents.”

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

“The key was left in the closet containing cleaning supplies in the classroom for the two year old children.”

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.

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. Three new staff members did not complete CPR training within 90 days of hire as required and one staff member’s CPR had expired.”

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: Nov 30, 2023. 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. Three new staff members did not complete first aid within the first 90 days of employment as required, and one staff member’s first aid had expired.”

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: Nov 30, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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 feeding schedule was not posted for one infant child.”

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: Nov 30, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Breast milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child’s home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child.

“A sippy cup in the classroom for the Waddlers was not labeled and dated.”

Rule Breast milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child's home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 30, 2023. 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.

“A container of Vaseline was not stored in locked storage in the classroom for the Toddlers.”

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

Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.

“The refrigerator in the classroom for the infant children was 50 degrees.”

Rule Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 30, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.