The Learning Experience

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

“A child was yelled at, shamed, humiliated, frightened, threatened or bullied. It was reported that a staff member tells children that “they are being a brat”, or that “they just want attention”. Also during today’s visit, I observed a staff member telling children while pointing at them “stop spitting, we do not spit, what did I just say, do you want to sit out”.”

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: Jun 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Staff failed to ensure the perimeter gate was locked. Two three-year-old children exited the playground and wandered through the corporate center, looking into the windows of area businesses, and walking/running through the parking areas and/or on the side of the street which placed the children at serious risk of harm.”

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: Apr 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“Staff failed to supervise two three year old children who were able to exit the fenced in playground and walk off property, around a public shopping area for at least 15 minutes before staff found them.”

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: Apr 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.

“Pursuant to its investigation, the Division has confirmed sufficient information to determine child maltreatment.”

Rule There was a substantiation of child maltreatment..

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. A childcare operator that was hired was not added to the facility’s roster in the ABCMS within five business days.”

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: Feb 2, 2026. 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.

“An incident report was not completed at the time when a child was injured and received first aid at the facility.”

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: Feb 2, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.

“A three (3) year old child was taken outside on 1/8/26 in a t-shirt, underwear, and a jacket.”

Rule Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 2, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

There were no clean clothes available for the children to wear when children’s clothes became wet or soiled.

“Clean clothes were not available for one (1) child whose clothes became wet.”

Rule There were no clean clothes available for the children to wear when children's clothes became wet or soiled.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 2, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All administrators and staff did not complete a professional development plan within one year of employment, that included all the required information.

“One (1) staff member did not complete a professional development plan within one year of employment”

Rule All administrators and staff did not complete a professional development plan within one year of employment, that included all the required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 9, 2025. 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.

“One (1) employee’s personnel file did not contain 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: Jan 9, 2025. 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.

“Vaseline was observed on a counter in space ten (10).”

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

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

“One (1) staff’s orientation was documented.”

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

A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.

“On December 5, 2025, a staff member had inappropriate interactions and handled a five-year-old child in a rough manner, which resulted in red marks on the child’s shoulder and collarbone area. In addition, the same staff member had inappropriate interactions and handled a four-year-old child roughly, which resulted in fingernail marks on the child’s arm.”

Rule A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 22, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.

“Pursuant to its investigation, the Division has confirmed sufficient information to determine child maltreatment.”

Rule There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 31, 2026. 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.

“Liquid white out was observed on a shelf, not stored in a locked cabinet in space seven (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.

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.

“Documentation of visually checking sleeping infants was not available for the weeks of November 1st-7th in space two (2) for most children .”

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: Nov 26, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.

“Staff did not mark (B) for back to sleep as the initial sleep position when laying sleeping infants down.”

Rule Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 26, 2025. 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 (1) new staff member’s orientation was not documented.”

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: Nov 26, 2025. 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)An individual written feeding plan was not was not followed for one (1) enrolled 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: Oct 23, 2025. 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 group twelve (12) for reference.”

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

Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member’s individual personnel file.

“One (1) medical file was not maintained separately from the staff member’s individual personnel file.”

Rule Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file.. Corrected during the inspection.

Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.

“The menu for today did not reflect the current change.”

Rule Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.. Corrected during the inspection.

When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review.

“When screen time was offered in space ten (10), it was not documented on the activity plan available for review.”

Rule When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review.. Corrected during the inspection.

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.

“One (1) staff member required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.”

Rule Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 6, 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. Verification of One (1) staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file.”

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: Aug 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. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the file of one (1) staff.”

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: Aug 16, 2024. 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.

“Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on a sleeping infant for an hour during today’s 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 16, 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.

“An EPR drill was practiced in January 2024 and then again in May 2024, not every three (3) months as required.”

Rule Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.. Corrected during the inspection.

A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child’s parent or authorized health professional.

“Diaper cream was present in space two (2) without authorization from parent.”

Rule A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 20, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“A cookout cup was observed in space seven (7). Chips ahoy cookies and wise potato chips were observed in space six (6).”

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: Feb 20, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Caregiver did not respond at the earliest opportunity to an infant or toddler’s physical and emotional needs.

“Infant and toddlers could be heard crying and there was little to no verbal response from staff responsible in space one (1) and two (2).”

Rule Caregiver did not respond at the earliest opportunity to an infant or toddler’s physical and emotional needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 29, 2024. 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 (1) new child care provider’s medical report was older than 12 months.”

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: Jan 29, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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 (2) new staff member’s TB test or screening was older than 12 months.”

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: Jan 29, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“Corporal punishment was used. [Omit item 0903 for religious sponsored centers operating under GS 110-106 with an exemption on file with the Division.] On January 8, 2024, a staff member slapped a one year old child across the face with an open hand as a form of discipline.”

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: Jan 26, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.

“Pursuant to its investigation, the Division has confirmed sufficient information to determine child maltreatment.”

Rule There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 13, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“A current activity plan was not posted for five (5) groups of children for reference.”

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

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

“Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled in space five (5) were not maintained as children arrived.”

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

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

“Orientation documentation did not contain a signature for hours completed.”

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: Dec 8, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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 bag of Lays chips were observed on a shelf 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: Dec 8, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.