Little Sunshines Academy

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.

“A plastic trash bag, holding new stuffed animals was stored below five feet in the bathroom of space #2. The door was secured with a child safety lock.”

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.

Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.

“Medication authorization form for a Ventolin HFA inhaler located in space #6, did not include a parent signature of date.”

Rule Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.. Corrected during the inspection.

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 on 12/30/24.”

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

Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.

“Staff employed 1/6/25 and 2/19/24 did not have certificates on file for all the health and safety trainings.”

Rule Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.. Corrected during the inspection.

The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.

“A certificate for the completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was not on file for staff employed on 2/19/24.”

Rule The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“Rubber mat tiles were placed over a hole, causing four tiles to have raised edges, creating a trip hazard on outdoor space #3. Grass is growing in the mulch of the containment area on outdoor space #3. The bottom, anchoring chain of the pendulum swing on outdoor space #3 is detached and rusted.”

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: Oct 1, 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. A CPR certificate or card was on file for staff employed on 11/11/24.”

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: Mar 5, 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. A First Aid certificate or card was on file for staff employed on 11/11/24.”

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: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services.

“A medical action plan was not on file for two Epinephrine Injection USP injectors located in space #6.”

Rule Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 2025. 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.

“Staff employed on 11/11/24 and 11/4/24 did not have a medical report on file for review at the time of the visit.”

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: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“Two (2) of the seven (7) children’s records reviewed contained a immunization records dated beyond 30 day of the date of enrollment.”

Rule Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“Two (2) of the seven (7) children’s records reviewed contained a health assessment dated beyond 30 day of the date of enrollment.”

Rule Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 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.

“Documentation of orientation for staff employed on 4/1/24 reflect orientation was completed on 6/20/24.”

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: Mar 5, 2025. 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.

“Staff employed on 11/11/24 and 11/4/24 did not have a TB test or screener on file for review at the time of the visit.”

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: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

“The medication authorization form for an Epinephrine Injection USP injector, in space #6, was missing information of the symptoms and circumstances needed for giving the medication, dosage, route, and instructions on how to give the medication.”

Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.

“Staff, Jasmine Baker, Carolyn Tyson, and Madison Joyner, did not complete a criminal background check prior to employment.”

Rule Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.

“Training certificates for all the health and safety trainings was not on file for staff employed on 1/8/24.”

Rule Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.

“A training certificate for Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was not on file for staff employed on 8/20/24.”

Rule The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 5, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A copy of the incident report was not given to the parent.

“A parent signature was not present of an incident report filed on 11/20/24.”

Rule A copy of the incident report was not given to the parent.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“In space #6, there was one canister Ventolin HFA, albuterol inhaler, expired 3/13/24.”

Rule A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional.. Corrected during the inspection.

Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

“In space #1, I observed one tube of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste and one tube of Aquaphor Healing Cream that had an authorization form that was not signed and dated by the parent/guardian.”

Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 29, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.

“There was one tube of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste in space #2 with an expiration date of 2/2024. There was one tube of Aquaphor Healing Ointment located in space #3 with an expiration date of 4/2024.”

Rule A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 1, 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. Documentation of First Aid certification was not on file for one staff, L. Moore, employed on 1/8/24.”

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 1, 2024. 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.

“Documentation of orientation for staff L. Moore, employed on 1/8/24, and D. White, employed on 4/1/24, was not of file for review.”

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: Jul 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.

“One staff, L. Moore, employed 1/5/24, did not have documentation of completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training.”

Rule The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Mulch on under the climbing structure of space #3 measured three inches in depth, in the fall zone, and one inch under the standing swing.”

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: Jul 1, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“One tube of Aquaphor Healing Ointment without written authorization was stored in space #2. Two Ventolin HFA inhalers without written authorization was stored in space #6.”

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: Mar 28, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.

“One twin pack of EpiPen Jr auto-injector, prescribed to a child that is no longer enrolled as of January 2024, was stored in the emergency bag in space #5.”

Rule Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 28, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

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: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.

“One tube of Little Journey Diaper Rash Cream with an expiration date of 3/2023 was located in space #1. One tube of Desitin with and expiration date of 2/2024 was located in space #3. In space #4 there was a jar Walgreens Petroleum Jelly with an expiration date of 1/2024, and one tube of Aquaphor Healing Ointment with an expiration date of 6/2023.”

Rule A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 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 #5, two canisters of disinfectant wipes, two bottles of Lysol multipurpose cleaner, and one bottle of Fabuloso multipurpose cleaner was stored in an unlocked upper cabinet, right of the sink. Two canisters of disinfectant wipes, one can of Lysol disinfectant spray, and one bottle of Lysol multipurpose cleaner was stored in an unlocked closet in space #6.”

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.

All staff did not review the center’s EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff.

“Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Documentation of the review of the EPR plan was not available for review during the visit.”

Rule All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 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.

“Staff employed on 2/19/24 had a medical report on file dated 3/1/24.”

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: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children’s records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child.

“A medical report was not on file one of the seven children’s files reviewed.”

Rule Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“One of seven children’s records reviewed contained an immunization record dated beyond 30 days of enrollment.”

Rule Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 2024. 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.

“Documentation of six clock hour of training was not available for staff employed on 2/5/24, 2/19/24, and 2/19/24.”

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: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.

“The drill log reflects the last fire drill as 1/12/24.”

Rule Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.

“One twin pack of EpiPen Jr auto-injectors prescribed to a child is was disenrolled in January 2024 was stored in space #5. One Ventolin HFA inhaler belonging a child that was disenrolled in January 2024 was stored in space #5.”

Rule Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

“Two of the seven children’s records reviewed contained medical reports dated beyond 30 days of enrollment.”

Rule Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 2024. 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.

“Documentation of orientation was not on file for staff employed on 1/15/23, 9/26/23, 11/6/23, 12/4/23, 1/5/24, and 1/15/24.”

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: Mar 21, 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.

“Staff employed on 2/19/24 had a TB Screener dated 3/1/24”

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: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. certificates for all required health and safety training topics were not on file for review for A. Braxton and D. Brown.”

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: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.

“Training certificates for the completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was not on file for B. Campbell and Y. Henriquez.”

Rule The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The EPR Plan on file was last updated on 1/6/23.”

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: Mar 21, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“In space #5, twelve children, three to five years of age, were present with one staff member. In space #6, eleven children, three years of age were present with one staff.”

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: Feb 2, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“One child, two years of age, was unattended outside the classroom.”

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: Dec 20, 2023. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“A staff member failed to care for children in a nurturing and appropriate manner while placing a child on a cot and another child in a chair.”

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: Dec 4, 2023. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.