Stepping Stones Day Care

An individual over the age of 15, who resides in a family child care home or a center located in a residence on a permanent or temporary basis, or those who had their 16th birthday after the initial licensing of a family child care home; did not complete and submit required forms within five business days.

“A household member who turned sixteen (16) years of age in January 2026 did not complete a criminal background check within five (5) days of their birthday.”

Rule An individual over the age of 15, who resides in a family child care home or a center located in a residence on a permanent or temporary basis, or those who had their 16th birthday after the initial licensing of a family child care home; did not complete and submit required forms within five business days.. Corrected during the inspection.

Copy of each child’s immunization record, including the operator’s own preschool child(ren), was not on file.

“Documentation of immunizations was not available for a child enrolled on August 25, 2025.”

Rule Copy of each child's immunization record, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 14, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator’s own preschool children.

“Three (3) children were documented on the attendance record however there were five (5) children present.”

Rule Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator's own preschool children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 11, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Record of monthly fire drills, giving the date, time of day and length of time to evacuate, and operator’s signature, were not available.

“A fire drill was not completed for November 2025 or December 2025.”

Rule Record of monthly fire drills, giving the date, time of day and length of time to evacuate, and operator's signature, were not available.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 11, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Copy of each child’s health assessment, including the operator’s own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment.

“The health assessment for a child enrolled on August 25, 2025 was completed on October 28, 2025.”

Rule Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Nov 19, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“A. Butts qualifying letter expired on 2/11/25 and a current qualifying letter was not on file and available for review.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for 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: May 13, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator or other transportation provider did not comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations concerning vehicles and the transportation of passengers.

“The provider stated that, at least two (2) times during the mitigation process, the children were transported in their personal vehicle to another location for nap time. The facility is not approved for transportation.”

Rule Operator or other transportation provider did not comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations concerning vehicles and the transportation of passengers.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 9, 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 from the date of issuance).

“A. Butts qualifying letter expired on 2/11/25 and a current qualifying letter was not on file and available for review.”

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 from 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: May 13, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“The children were in care at a location address that was not listed on the license. Per the provider’s statements, the children were transported to a another facility for nap time while the mitigation process was being completed in the home. The change of location was not preapproved by a representative of the Division.”

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

Authorization for up to 6 months to administer prescription or over-the-counter medication, when needed, for chronic medical conditions and for allergic reactions was not in writing and did not contain information required by rule 10 NCAC 09 .1720(c)(6)(A-I).

“One child, FH, had a medical permission form on file for Ventolin HFA that expired on 1/19/23.”

Rule Authorization for up to 6 months to administer prescription or over-the-counter medication, when needed, for chronic medical conditions and for allergic reactions was not in writing and did not contain information required by rule 10 NCAC 09 .1720(c)(6)(A-I).. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Authorization to seek medical care in the parent’s absence was not available.

“Three, out of 10 children’s files reviewed, did not have a signature for permission.”

Rule Authorization to seek medical care in the parent's absence was not available.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Copy of each child’s health assessment, including the operator’s own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment.

“One child, enrolled on 9/23/24, did not have a medical exam on file for review today.”

Rule Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Indoor and outdoor area was not checked daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment, and animal waste.

“There was duct tape covering the chains supporting the swings. The tape was old and shredding.”

Rule Indoor and outdoor area was not checked daily for debris, vandalism, broken equipment, and animal waste.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.

“Plastic bags were accessible to children under 2 years of age in the shower of the bathroom the children use. There was also a plastic bag on top of the washing machine the children walk past to use the bathroom.”

Rule Plastic bags, toys, and toy parts small enough to be swallowed, including but not limited to materials that can be easily torn apart such as foam rubber and styrofoam, were accessible to children under the age of three.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Electrical outlets not in use were not covered.

“An extension cord, located in the hallway where school age children work on homework, had 3 outlets that were not covered.”

Rule Electrical outlets not in use were not covered.. Corrected during the inspection.

Signed discipline statement did not include the required information, as outlined in rule.

“The signature page on file for JS, did not have documentation of the enrollment date.”

Rule Signed discipline statement did not include the required information, as outlined in rule.. Corrected during the inspection.