The Learning Ladder Academy

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. Seven (7) staff members included the owner have not been hired on the ABCMS Provider Portal. After reviewing the ABCMS provider portal there is an account listed and there are six (6) staff members listed that are no longer employed at this facility. The owner is linked to this account with an expired criminal background letter. The owner has a current criminal background letter that is not linked to this account.”

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: May 27, 2026. 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.

“Summary of Law was not posted.”

Rule A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled 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 27, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

“The hollow blocks were splintered and contained mold. There was busy bead board that was attached to the wall on the playground, all colors have worn off, and it contains mold.”

Rule All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 27, 2026. 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 new staff (S.W.)hired 4/28/26, did not have the orientation document on file for review.”

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: May 27, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests.

“There was a storage shelf that held hollow blocks containing rust. There were two (2) children, using 4 child-size chairs to sit on in the fall zone area of the climbing structure.”

Rule The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 27, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“One (1) child in space #2 had their head covered during naptime. One (1) child in space # 1 had their head covered during naptime.”

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 1, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“One new staff member hired on 3/30/26 did not have a medical on file for review prior to employment. Staff members have a scheduled appointment to get the medical completed on 4/17/26.”

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: May 1, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children three years old or older were in care and the schedule did not include times and/or activities that were developmentally appropriate for the children in care.

“A child that struggles with anxiety at naptime, sat at a table for two hours with no activity”

Rule Children three years old or older were in care and the schedule did not include times and/or activities that were developmentally appropriate for 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: May 1, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.

“Eighteen (18) were signed in by a parent or guardian on 3/30/26 noted the time of arrival. However, eleven (11) children were signed out by the parent or guardian, but departure time was not noted on the daily sign in and out sheet.”

Rule Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or 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: May 1, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet.

“The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence from the playground, the lower fence next to staff parking, the fence is measuring 3’9. The fence going up the hill from the staff parking lot is measuring 3’9 for the first 3 panels.”

Rule Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 8, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.

“The surfacing around the two stationary play structures is measuring between 1” to 3”.”

Rule The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 8, 2026. 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 was not current in space 2. It was dated for 2/19/2024.There was no activity plan posted in space 1.”

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: Jun 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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. After reviewed of two (2) staff files it was noted that one staff member had completed the CPR self-paced online training course through America Red Cros and did not complete the required skills test within ninety (90) days. The other staff member is considered a substitute provider and had completed a CPR training through an online training course, which does not count as training.”

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 9, 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. After reviewed of two (2) staff files it was noted that one staff member had completed the First Aid self-paced online training course through America Red Cros. The other staff member is considered a substitute provider and had completed a First Aid through an online training course, which does not count as training.”

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 9, 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 two (2) was not current. It was dated for 2/17/25-2/21/25.”

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

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.

“Two walls had been repaired and spackled. They had not been painted.”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 10, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Four (4) rusty nails were protruding from the outdoor fence at the children’s eye levels.”

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

All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.

“The surfacing around the two (2) play structures did not meet the 6 inches of loose surfacing material required.”

Rule All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.. 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 information did not name childs health care professional.

“One child’s file did not have the choice of health care professional. The parent was on staff, so this was correct during the visit.”

Rule Emergency information did not name childs health care professional.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“All staff must sign your Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy prior to caring for children five years of age and younger.”

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

Toxic plants were accessible to children.

“Poison Ivy was coming through the fence line on the playground.”

Rule Toxic plants were accessible to children.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The metal plates leading up to steps on all levels of the play structures are bent and need to be bolted down flush with the play structure so children’s fingers cannot stick in them.”

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 22, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Notes: In space two (2) there were sixteen (16) children ages two to five-years old with one teacher.”

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 18, 2023. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

The center did not comply with the permit restrictions.

“The center had an infant in the class room with two to three-year old children. This facility license has the restriction for two- to twelve-year-old children. The five (5) month old infant was in the class with her mom who is the teacher. The teachers in home child care had not shown up that morning.”

Rule The center did not comply with the permit restrictions.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 18, 2023. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.

“Surfacing under all slides and stair areas did not meet six inches of depth. Areas need to be fluffed and mulched.”

Rule The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 22, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.