Childcare Network #249

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.

“Sleep checks were not conducted or documented while a child less than twelve months of age slept from 9:18 am to 10:35 am.”

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

Infants under the age of 12 months were not placed on their backs for sleeping unless the center had obtained the appropriate written waiver.

“A child less than twelve months of age was observed sleeping on her side, not on her back as required. The staff member reported that the child is not yet able to roll completely over.”

Rule Infants under the age of 12 months were not placed on their backs for sleeping unless the center had obtained the appropriate written waiver.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“An electronic cigarette or similar battery powered device (vape) was found by a four year old child and provided to a staff member in space 9.”

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: Aug 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Children were present in the building with a smell of natural gas for at least twenty-four minutes before the building was evacuated. The children remained outside for more than an hour on a day with a heat index of 95 degrees or higher, in direct sunlight.”

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: Jul 17, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Drinking water was not freely available to children of all ages.

“Drinking water was not available to the children during the time that they were evacuated from the facility.”

Rule Drinking water was not freely available to children of all ages.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 17, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information.

“The Ready to Go file did not contain the required information for children currently enrolled in the program.”

Rule The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 17, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“A staff member’s purse was observed on the countertop by the sink in space 8. This is a violation of a requirement in 15A NCAC 18A .2820(g) which states: Purses and other personal effects belonging to child care center employees shall be kept inaccessible to children and shall be stored in accordance with this Rule, as applicable.”

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

“Acetone nail polish remover was stored in an unlocked top cabinet in space 3.”

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.

Bottles were propped.

“A bottle was propped on the tray for an infant seated in a high chair in space 3.”

Rule Bottles were propped.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“On March 5, 2026, two staff members engaged in a verbal altercation.”

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: Mar 31, 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 one month.

“Sleep checks were not conducted for two children on the day of the visit.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“All 5 of the following activity areas were not available daily to each group art/creative play, children’s books, blocks/blockbuilding, manipulatives, family living/dramatic play. Art materials were not accessible or available in space five.”

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 10, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“The staff member in space five was observed sleeping while responsible for a group of children during naptime. The staff member in space nine was observed standing in the doorway to the playground with her back to the children during naptime.”

Rule Children were not adequately supervised at all times.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 3, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“Thirteen children, including three year old children, were present with one staff member in space 9 on the afternoon of 11-6-25.”

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: Dec 3, 2025. 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.

“A health assessment was not available in one of the children’s files reviewed.”

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

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“All 5 of the following activity areas were not available daily to each group art/creative play, children’s books, blocks/blockbuilding, manipulatives, family living/dramatic play. The shelf containing the art materials in space five was turned toward the wall, thus the materials were not available to the children.”

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 10, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The materials and equipment indoors and outdoors were not sufficient to provide a variety of play experiences to promote the children’s emotional and social development, health and physical development, approaches to play and learning, language and communication development, and cognitive development.

“There was not a sufficient number of materials available in spaces five, six and seven.”

Rule The materials and equipment indoors and outdoors were not sufficient to provide a variety of play experiences to promote the children's emotional and social development, health and physical development, approaches to play and learning, language and communication development, and cognitive development.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 3, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“Verification of receipt of the policy was not available in fourteen of the children’s files reviewed.”

Rule The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of 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: Dec 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Following the issuance of any administrative action the operator did not post the administrative action, cover letter, and/or corrective action plan, if applicable, in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility during the pendency of an appeal and/or throughout the effective time period of the administrative action.

“(Applicable to administrative actions after 2/1/19) The written warning issued by DCDEE on 9-17-25 was not posted.”

Rule Following the issuance of any administrative action the operator did not post the administrative action, cover letter, and/or corrective action plan, if applicable, in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility during the pendency of an appeal and/or throughout the effective time period of the administrative action.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 22, 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 center’s Safe Sleep Policy was not posted in space 1, one of the classrooms for infants.”

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: Oct 22, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The temperature in a room where infants aged 12 months or younger where sleeping exceeded 75 degrees.

“The temperature in the classroom for infants (space 1) was 80 degrees F.”

Rule The temperature in a room where infants aged 12 months or younger where sleeping exceeded 75 degrees.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 22, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The activity plan in space 1 was dated for 8-11-25 to 8-15-25.”

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

Human 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.

“Three bottles stored in the refrigerator in space 2 were not labeled with the child’s name.”

Rule Human 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: Sep 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Infants under the age of 12 months were not placed on their backs for sleeping unless the center had obtained the appropriate written waiver.

“Based on information provided by the staff member in space 2, a five month old child was routinely placed on his side for sleeping.”

Rule Infants under the age of 12 months were not placed on their backs for sleeping unless the center had obtained the appropriate written waiver.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age.

“Plastic grocery store type bags were observed on the floor in an unlocked closet in space 8; thirteen children, all two years of age, were present in this classroom.”

Rule Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“An opened Celcius Energy drink was observed in a top cabinet in space 4. A Duncan Donuts iced coffee was observed in a top cabinet in space 5. A partially consumed Mountain Dew was observed in a top cabinet in space 7.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Ten children, including nine three year old children and one two year old child, were present with one staff member in space 7.”

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: Aug 19, 2025. 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. A CPR course was not completed by two new staff members within the required timeframe.”

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 2, 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. A First Aid course was not completed by two new staff members within the required timeframe.”

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

Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.

“A substitution was not noted on the menu prior to the service of lunch; corn was served to some groups of children instead of broccoli.”

Rule Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.. Corrected during the inspection.

A child was yelled at, shamed, humiliated, frightened, threatened or bullied.

“On March 17, 2025, a teacher was heard yelling at a one year old child.”

Rule A child was yelled at, shamed, humiliated, frightened, threatened or bullied.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 8, 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.

“In a space designated for 4 year olds, a can of shaving cream was stored in an unlocked 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.

Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.

“Incident reports are not maintained on the incident log. Incident reports have not been maintained on the log since January 2025.”

Rule Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 8, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child’s file.

“Following two (2) separate incidents involving a child being injured, incident reports were not completed. Additionally, previous incident reports did not include all information and incident reports are not maintained in the child’s file.”

Rule Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it 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: Apr 8, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age.

“In a space designated for 2 year olds, several plastic bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet that was accessible to children.”

Rule Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age.. 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 Magic Eraser was stored in an unlocked top cabinet in space 7.”

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.

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

“A thermometer was not available in the refrigerator in space 2.”

Rule Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.. Corrected during the inspection.

Following the issuance of any administrative action the operator did not post the administrative action, cover letter, and/or corrective action plan, if applicable, in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility during the pendency of an appeal and/or throughout the effective time period of the administrative action.

“(Applicable to administrative actions after 2/1/19) This information was not posted.”

Rule Following the issuance of any administrative action the operator did not post the administrative action, cover letter, and/or corrective action plan, if applicable, in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility during the pendency of an appeal and/or throughout the effective time period of the administrative action.. 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. Two staff members did not renew their CPR certification before it 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: Feb 16, 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. Two staff members did not renew their First Aid certification before it 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: Feb 16, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“One staff member received four hours in the required topic areas. A second staff member received five hours in the required topic areas.”

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 16, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“One staff member received eight hours of orientation during the first six weeks, however not all topics were covered.”

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: Feb 16, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations.

“A vehicle used to transport children enrolled in the child care center was involved in an accident. The driver was charged with a traffic violation for failure to reduce speed.”

Rule Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 16, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.