Always Ready Little People’s Day Care

Number of preschool children exceeded five children, including the provider’s own preschool children.

“During today’s visit, there were seven children present in your care. I observed one (1) infant nine months of age, one (1) infant ten months of age, two (2) children one year of age, two (2) children two years of age, and one (1) child three years of age.”

Rule Number of preschool children exceeded five children, including the provider's own preschool children..

Operator did not retain the safe sleep acknowledgement in the child’s records as long as the child was enrolled.

“A signed acknowledgement of the Safe Sleep Policy was not on file for a child enrolled on October 5, 2026.”

Rule Operator did not retain the safe sleep acknowledgement in the child's records as long as the child was enrolled..

Operator has not developed, adopted and complied with a written safe sleep policy.

Rule Operator has not developed, adopted and complied with a written safe sleep policy..

Operator or other transportation provider did not have written permission from each child’s parents or guardian to transport the child.

“I observed three (3) children being transported without written permission from each child’s parents or guardian.”

Rule Operator or other transportation provider did not have written permission from each child's parents or guardian to transport the child..

Safe sleep policy and poster about safe sleep practices was not posted in a prominent place in the infant sleeping room or area where parents and caregivers are able to view daily.

“The Safe Sleep Policy was not posted in the facility.”

Rule Safe sleep policy and poster about safe sleep practices was not posted in a prominent place in the infant sleeping room or area where parents and caregivers are able to view daily.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 20, 2026. 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 30 days.

“Documentation of visual sleep checks being completed for a child under 12 months has not been completed since July 1, 2026.”

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 30 days.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 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.

“Health assessments were not on file within 30 days of enrollment for two children (DOE: 6/23/2026 and 7/13/2026).”

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: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Health questionnaire was not completed annually.

“The operator’s health questionnaire was last completed on 4/14/2025.”

Rule Health questionnaire was not completed annually.. Corrected during the inspection.

Individual who provides care for 5 hours or more a week, did not complete ITS-SIDS training prior to caring for infants.

“An additional caregiver (DOH: 6/22/2026) did not complete ITS-SIDS training prior to caring for infants.”

Rule Individual who provides care for 5 hours or more a week, did not complete ITS-SIDS training prior to caring for infants.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Individuals providing care to children did not receive 16 hours of orientation prior to beginning caregiving activities.

“An additional caregiver (DOH: 6/22/2026) did not receive 16 hours of orientation prior to beginning caregiving activities.”

Rule Individuals providing care to children did not receive 16 hours of orientation prior to beginning caregiving activities.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Individuals who provide care for 5 hours or more a week, during planned absences of the operator, did not have proof of negative TB test or screening results completed within the last 12 months prior to the first day providing care.

“The additional caregiver (DOH: 6/22/206) had TB test completed on 9/25/2024.”

Rule Individuals who provide care for 5 hours or more a week, during planned absences of the operator, did not have proof of negative TB test or screening results completed within the last 12 months prior to the first day providing care.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Individuals who provide care for 5 hours or more a week, during planned absences of the operator, had not completed a health questionnaire.

“The additional caregiver (DOH: 6/22/26) did not have a health questionnaire one file.”

Rule Individuals who provide care for 5 hours or more a week, during planned absences of the operator, had not completed a health questionnaire.. Corrected during the inspection.

Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy.

“The shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy signed acknowledgement was not on file for two children (DOE: 7/13/2026 and 8/12/2026).”

Rule Operator did not provide a copy of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy to parents at time of enrollment, and / or within fourteen days of a changes to the policy.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not retain the safe sleep acknowledgement in the child’s records as long as the child was enrolled.

“The safe sleep acknowledgement was not on file for a child enrolled on 6/23/2026.”

Rule Operator did not retain the safe sleep acknowledgement in the child's records as long as the child was enrolled.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator did not review the abusive head trauma and shaken baby syndrome policy with staff and/or the acknowledgement of the review did not contain required items or was not available for review.

“The acknowledgement of abusive head trauma and shaken baby syndrome policy review was not available for review for a staff member hired 6/22/2026.”

Rule Operator did not review the abusive head trauma and shaken baby syndrome policy with staff and/or the acknowledgement of the review did not contain required items or was not available for review.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Operator or other transportation provider did not have written permission from each child’s parents or guardian to transport the child.

“I observed the operator transport a child in their vehicle without written permission for transportation.”

Rule Operator or other transportation provider did not have written permission from each child's parents or guardian to transport the child.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Signed and dated statement which attests that a copy of the discipline policy was given to and discussed with a parent/guardian of each child prior to enrollment was not on file in the home.

“The signed and dated statement acknowledging the discipline policy being given and discussed with a parent/guardian was not on file for three children (DOE: 6/23/2026, 7/13/2026, and 8/12/2026).”

Rule Signed and dated statement which attests that a copy of the discipline policy was given to and discussed with a parent/guardian of each child prior to enrollment was not on file in the home.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The written plan of care was not given and explained to parents of children in care on or before the first day the child attended the home.

“Parents did not sign a statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the plan. Parents did not give written permission for their child to be transported by the operator for specific routine tasks that are included on the written schedule. The signed statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the written plan was not on file for two children (DOE: 7/13/2026 and 8/12/2026).”

Rule The written plan of care was not given and explained to parents of children in care on or before the first day the child attended the home.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Written feeding schedule was not on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or was not updated regularly to reflect changes in the child’s needs.

“A written feeding schedule was not completed and on file for a children under 15 months (DOE: 6/23/2026).”

Rule Written feeding schedule was not on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or was not updated regularly to reflect changes in the child's needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 5, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage.

“On the shelf five feet from the floor by the stairs you had Dayquil and alcohol swabs that were not in locked storage. You stated that they were for your personal use. We discussed that they still need to be kept in locked storage.”

Rule All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 18, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“The written schedule did not include a minimum of one hour of outdoor play throughout the day, if weather conditions permit. The written schedule had a block of time 11:00AM-12:00PM that included hand-washing, bathroom, lunch and outdoor play. There were no other block of times that listed outdoor play to ensure that the children were outside for at least one hour daily.”

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: Feb 18, 2026. 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 30 days.

“The infant aged child began enrollment on 12/22/25 and there was no documentation showing that the child was visually checked every 15 minutes.”

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 30 days.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Hazardous cleaning supplies and other items that might be poisonous e.g. toxic plants, were not out of reach or in locked storage when children were in care.

Rule Hazardous cleaning supplies and other items that might be poisonous e.g. toxic plants, were not out of reach or in locked storage when children were in care.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Indoor stairs with more than two steps were not made inaccessible to children two years of age or younger.

“The stairs leading to the 2nd floor were accessible because there was no gate making them inaccessible.”

Rule Indoor stairs with more than two steps were not made inaccessible to children two years of age or younger.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Items that are prohibited to be an infants sleep space, eg. pillows, wedges, blankets, toys, bumper pads, quilts, loose bedding, towels, and wash cloths were present in the crib with a sleeping infant.

“Upon arrival there was an infant aged child sleeping in the crib that had a rattle and a blanket inside the crib.”

Rule Items that are prohibited to be an infants sleep space, eg. pillows, wedges, blankets, toys, bumper pads, quilts, loose bedding, towels, and wash cloths were present in the crib with a sleeping infant.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Monthly check for hazards on the outdoor play area was not completed using a form supplied by the Division.

“You stated that have not completed/documented monthly checks for the outdoor play area.”

Rule Monthly check for hazards on the outdoor play area was not completed using a form supplied by the Division.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 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.

“One child present today was not signed in when he arrived.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“There were plastic shopping bags stored in bottom oven drawer, corner kitchen cabinet and diaper changing cabinet that were not locked or at least five feet from the floor.”

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: Jan 22, 2026. 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).

“N. Rivers began employment on 1/12/26 and her qualification letter expired on 9/17/25.”

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 from the date of issuance).. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The length of time to evacuate was not documented.”

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

The signed statement regarding receipt of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy did not contain the required information.

“Two children files did not have the signature of the parent/legal guardian, date document was received, child’s name and date of enrollment.”

Rule The signed statement regarding receipt of the shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma policy did not contain 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 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The written plan of care did not specify times for completing routine tasks and did not include those times on the written schedule.

“During today’s visit you had left the program to run to the bank. You did not have a Written Plan of Care in place to inform families of such tasks.”

Rule The written plan of care did not specify times for completing routine tasks and did not include those times on the written schedule.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The written schedule did not reflect daily opportunities for both free choice and guided activities.

“The Written schedule was not posted upon arrival.”

Rule The written schedule did not reflect daily opportunities for both free choice and guided activities.. Corrected during the inspection.

Written feeding schedule was not on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or was not updated regularly to reflect changes in the child’s needs.

“There was one child under 15 months of age that had page one of the feeding schedule was missing.”

Rule Written feeding schedule was not on file for each child under 15 months of age and/or was not updated regularly to reflect changes in the child's needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.