Bright Horizons at Mallard Creek

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

“On August, 24, 2026, a child two years of age was spat on by a teacher and was close to the child’s face while saying to the child “how do you like that”?, “You don’t like that do you”?, “You wouldn’t want anyone else to do that to you” and “it’s not okay to spit”. The Teacher’s tone was loud enough that two teachers turned around to see what was occurring.”

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

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

“One (1) employee did not update her annual health questionnaire upon returning to work after a leave of absence. The form was dated 8/12/24.”

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

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.

“One (1) employee did not update her emergency information upon returning to work after a leave of absence. The form was dated 8/12/24.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The printed EPR plan was last updated/reviewed on 10/25/24.”

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: Jan 23, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“One (1) employee, C. Fraser, did not have a valid qualification letter on file for review.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.

“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last fire inspection was completed 8/22/24.”

Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).

“One (1) employee, C. Fraser, had an expired CBC qualification letter. The letter expired on 10/7/25.”

Rule Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The posted activity plan in Space 8 was not current.”

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

For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices.

“Two (2) music instruments were observed present in Space 4. There were eleven (11) children enrolled in the classroom and four (4) children present at the time of the observation.”

Rule For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 12, 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. One employee hired 3/4/24 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment.”

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: Jul 5, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Formula and other beverages which require refrigeration were not identified for each child or properly refrigerated.

“A prepared nutritional shake that required refrigeration after opening was observed stored on a child’s cubby.”

Rule Formula and other beverages which require refrigeration were not identified for each child or properly refrigerated.. Corrected during the inspection.

Air conditioning units were accessible or did not have a guard to keep objects from being thrown into the unit.

“The gate to the air conditioning units was not locked.”

Rule Air conditioning units were accessible or did not have a guard to keep objects from being thrown into the unit.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 23, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.

“The bottom of the exterior wall of the gym facing the playground was rusted and peeling away from the foundation. The sharp edges were accessible to children.”

Rule Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 23, 2024. 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 on the outer edge of the early preschool playground measured below 4 feet.”

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: Mar 14, 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.

“One (1) child’s Epi pen was stored in the original box that did not have the prescription attached.”

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