Tippitoes Early Education Development Center

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

“The space used by the infants had one four (4) month old and a one (1) year old present present in the space with a two (2) year old. .0713 (a)(5).”

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: Sep 28, 2026. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“The children in the space used by the infants were left alone in the classroom for approximately five (5) seconds while the teacher in that space stepped out into the hallway down by the space used by the preschoolers to speak with the administrator. 1801.(a)(1-5).”

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: Sep 28, 2026. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. on 9/14/2026, a two year old was present on the outdoor playground without shoes. .601(a).”

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: Sep 28, 2026. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.

“The last annual health questionnaires on file for four staff members including the director were dated for 2024.”

Rule All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 10, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.

“The last emergency information form on file for four providers including the director were last dated for 2024.”

Rule Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 10, 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.

“Two staff members who began employment in September 2025 did not receive the training until January 2026.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The EMC plan was last documented as reviewed for three staff members in 2/2025 and 10/2024.”

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: Mar 10, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.

“The EPR Plan was lsst documented as reviewed for three staff members on 2/2025 and 10/2024.”

Rule The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 10, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“C. Rincon-Ruiz did not have a valid qualification letter on file prior to their start date.”

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

“R. Voyce did not have a current medical report on file and A. Buie who began employment on 4/15/2025, had a medical report on file dated 4/29/2025.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 29, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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.

“Two staff members who began employment in June 2025 and August 2025, had TB tests that were received March 2024 and May 2024. A staff member who began employment on 4/15/2025 had a TB test dated 4/29/2025.”

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: Oct 1, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.

“C. Rincon began employment on the morning of 9/17/2025 but had a criminal background check that came in prior to end of my visit.”

Rule Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.. Corrected during the inspection.

Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.

“One 1 year old and eight 2 year olds in space #1 were watching Ms. Rachel on the television upon my arrival.”

Rule Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.. Corrected during the inspection.

When combining age groups, the staff/child ratios for the youngest child in the group was not maintained for the entire group.

“Upon my arrival to the center, there were eight 2 year olds and one 1 year old present in space #1 with one staff member.”

Rule When combining age groups, the staff/child ratios for the youngest child in the group was not maintained for the entire group.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 29, 2025. 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.

“T. Wright did not receive documented orientation during the first 6 weeks.”

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: Mar 27, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“During today’s visit, one staff member was caring for ten children, ages one to four years old.”

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: Oct 18, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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.

“Cleaning items and aerosol dispenser were not kept in locked storage. The door to the office/storage room that contained the items was locked during the visit; therefore, it was corrected during the visit.”

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

“Two new staff files and one volunteer file were not available for review.”

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: Aug 22, 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.

“Shelter-in-place or lockdown-drills were not practiced every three months.”

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 22, 2024. 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.

“One outlet was not covered in classroom one where children were napping. This was corrected when the outlet was covered with an outlet cover.”

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.

Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.

“The enrollment date was not on the statement. This was corrected when the enrollment date was added.”

Rule Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“This was not completed and posted in two classrooms.”

Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 23, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The door to the kitchen was closed but it was not locked (the lock was not in good repair) so, children could access the kitchen.”

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: May 23, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Emergency information did not name childs health care professional.

“This information was not on file for two children enrolled.”

Rule Emergency information did not name childs 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 23, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

For children under three years of age, developmentally appropriate toys and activities were not provided as outlined in Rule.

“Toys that were labeled for children 3 and up were accessible to 2 year old’s.”

Rule For children under three years of age, developmentally appropriate toys and activities were not provided as outlined in Rule.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 23, 2024. 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.

“Toys that were stored in plastic bags were accessible to two year old’s.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 23, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.