Grace Montessori Academy, Inc.

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

“Grass and weeds had encroached into the fall zones of the stationary equipment anchored over mulch, compromising the resiliency of the surfacing.”

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: Sep 4, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Seven plastic waffle blocks were cracked exposing rough/sharp edges. A hole was next to the shade port posing a tripping hazard. The trash can on the playground was cracked exposing sharp edges.”

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: Jan 29, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Eight waffle blocks on the playground were cracked and splitting on the side creating opening that could pinch children and sharp edges. Two bolts were protruding from the brown border enclosing the surfacing around the large play structure on the playground.”

Rule A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.. Corrected during the inspection.

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.

“Recognizing and responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was not completed as part of on- going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. The last training was da ted for February 20, 2019.”

Rule Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“In space 5, there was a box of Borax laundry detergent in an unlocked cabinet and less than 5 feet above the floor. In space 6, the key was left in the closet door lock. Cans of spray paint were stored 5 feet above the floor.”

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.

A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.

“One file, out of 8 children’s files reviewed, did not have documentation the NC Summary of Child Care Law was shared with the parent.”

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: Oct 24, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“In space 1, containers of deodorant and lotion were located in the drawers of the storage cabinet in the bathroom and not in locked storage. In space 2, there was a container of hand lotion and a container of hand sanitizer in the lead teacher’s desk drawers. In the greenhouse, there was a box of plant food, with the warning to keep out of reach of children, stored less than 5 feet above the floor.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider.

“The blanket permission form, signed by the parents, did not include the date of the trips, the approximate times the children would be off-premises, or the name and contact information for the person providing the transportation.”

Rule Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Emergency and identifying information, including the child’s name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported.

“The emergency information forms, located on the van, did not have a picture of the child attached.”

Rule Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child’s first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes.

“One file, out of 8 children’s files reviewed, did not have documentation the parent handbook was shared with the parent.”

Rule Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child’s first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center.

“One file, out of 8 children’s files reviewed, did not have documentation the parent participation policy was shared with the parent.”

Rule Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction.

“One file, out of 8 children’s files reviewed, did not have documentation the tobacco policy was shared with the parent.”

Rule The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 24, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“In space 110, there was a container of Zep disinfectant wipes located 5 feet above the floor but not in locked storage. The warnings on the container stated that the wipes could cause eye and skin irritation.”

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.

Center has not passed required sanitation inspection and received an approved or superior rating.

“The sanitation inspection was due by 5/9/24. The inspection was completed on 5/14/24.”

Rule Center has not passed required sanitation inspection and received an approved or superior rating.. Corrected during the inspection.

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.

“Today, in the first aid kit located on the bus used to transport children, there were packets of Triple Antibiotic ointment and burn cream.”

Rule Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 3, 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.

“Children 1 year of age were in care in space 137. The storage closet in the room did not lock and a plastic storage bag was hanging less than 5 feet above the floor.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of.

“On the preschool playground there was a Tonka truck with peeling paint and rust. There was also a broken child-size picnic table.”

Rule The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of.. Corrected during the inspection.