Higher Praise Learning Center

A child’s file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information.

“The signed Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma Policy did not include the date the child first attended the center, the date the operator’s policy was given and explained to the parent, or the date the parent signed the acknowledgment for a child enrolled on 12/30/2025.”

Rule A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“I observed the office door open and unlocked with the following items accessible to children: Arm & Hammer cleaner, Febreze aerosol spray, and Gorilla Glue that was labeled “Keep Out of Reach of Children” with warnings of Eye, Skin, and Ingestion warnings. In the classroom used for children two to five years of age, I observed hand sanitizer stored below five feet and accessible to children.”

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, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.

“A staff member hired on 10/1/2025 did not have an annual health questionnaire completed.”

Rule All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.. Corrected during the inspection.

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance.

“The facility did not have daily attendance records for September 2026 and October 2026.”

Rule Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 19, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.

“A staff member hired on 10/30/2025 did not have an Emergency Information Form on file. A staff member hired on 10/1/2025 last completed the Emergency Information Form on 10/1/2025.”

Rule Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The arrival time of three children were documented and there were five children present at the facility.”

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

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.

“A child enrolled on 8/13/2026 does not have an immunization record on file.”

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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“A child enrolled on 12/30/2025 did not have a medical exam or health assessment on file.”

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: Oct 19, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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 July 1, 2025.”

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

Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.

“The parent’s statement regarding the Discipline Policy did not include the child’s date of enrollment for a child enrolled on 12/30/2025.”

Rule Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“A staff member hired 10/1/2025 did not complete Health and Safety Training within one year of employment.”

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

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.

“Two staff members (DOH: 10/1/2025 and 10/30/2025) did not complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.”

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: Oct 20, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The completed, signed application was not on file on the first day each child attends.

“A child enrolled on 12/30/2025 had their application completed and signed on 3/6/2026.”

Rule The completed, signed application was not on file on the first day each child attends.. Corrected during the inspection.

The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person’s file.

“One staff member (DOH: 10/1/2025) did not have a signed acknowledgement of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file.”

Rule The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“A qualification letter was not on file and available for review for a staff member hired 8/24/2026.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to 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: Sep 25, 2026. 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.

“I observed the electrical room unlocked with bleach, Fabuloso, detergents, and other cleaners on the shelf and floor accessible to children. I observed the main office to be unlocked with an aerosol can of deodorant and an aerosol can of room spray on the counter accessible to children. In Space 2, I observed the sanitizer spray and disinfectant on the counter, below five feet.”

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.

Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs.

“I observed Funyuns and water served as snack. I observed a child served apple juice in place of fluid milk during lunch.”

Rule Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 16, 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 for the date of issuance).

“The qualification letter for a staff member (DOH: 8/24/2026) expired on September 23, 2024.”

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 for 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: Sep 25, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The center did not comply with the permit restrictions.

“This facility operates with a GS 110-106 Notice of Compliance and is licensed for thirty (30) children ages two to twelve years of age on first and second shift with the following restrictions: daytime care, 2nd shift, and children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only. A child one year of age (DOB: 10/13/2024) was enrolled and attended the facility from 2/23/2026 to 8/28/2026.”

Rule The center did not comply with the permit restrictions.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 16, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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. The child care operator did not notify the Division of three (3) child care providers within five business days of being hired.”

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: May 6, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“A qualification letter for an employee hired on 3/2/2026 was not on file and available for review.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to 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: Apr 10, 2026. 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.

“Two employees (DOH: 10/30/2025 and 3/2/2026) did not have a medical statement on file.”

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: Apr 10, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.

“The Emergency Information Form for three employees (DOH: 10/30/25, 10/30/25, and 3/2/206) did not include a choice of a health care professional.”

Rule Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 31, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not made available for review.”

Rule Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 31, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.

“An electrical outlet in Space 1 was not covered with a safety outlet.”

Rule Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“An employee hired 10/30/2025 did not have a TB test or screening on file.”

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: Apr 10, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.

“An employee hired 3/2/2026 received their Criminal Background Check on 3/11/2026.”

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: Apr 10, 2026. 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.

“The facility has not conducted a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill since opening.”

Rule Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or 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 31, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person’s file.

“Three employees (DOH: 10/30/2025, 10/30/2025, and 3/2/2026) did not have a signed acknowledgement indicating the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed.”

Rule The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 6, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.