First Step Child Care

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

“The cardboard blocks were in disrepair in space 4.”

Rule All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“The yellow swings have between 0 and 3 inches of sand underneath.”

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: Feb 18, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily.

“There was no paper for children in the art center in space 4.”

Rule The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily.. Corrected during the inspection.

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.

“The activity plan was dated for last week in space 3.”

Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Corrected during the inspection.

A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference.

“The schedule was not posted in space 3.”

Rule A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Corrected during the inspection.

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. On new staff person did not complete CPR within 90 days of hire.”

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: Oct 2, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prohibited styrofoam and foam rubber products were accessible to children under 3 years of age and/or approved foam products were used without proper supervision.

“The center uses styrofoam cups for lunch and snack in the one- and two-year-old classrooms.”

Rule Prohibited styrofoam and foam rubber products were accessible to children under 3 years of age and/or approved foam products were used without proper supervision.. Corrected during the inspection.

Caregiver did not make provision for constructive guidance and setting limits that the child can understand and that foster the child’s ability to be self-disciplined.

“A staff member did not recognize, or meet the needs of children’s development when a group of one-year-old children were expected to sit down, remain in one specific location, for an extended period of time, while the staff member cleaned the classroom and attended to other classroom tasks.”

Rule Caregiver did not make provision for constructive guidance and setting limits that the child can understand and that foster the child's ability to be self-disciplined.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Child was handled roughly.

“A staff member grabbed a one-year-old child by the arms in a rough manner, while repeatedly transitioning the child to a designated area, in a seated position that resulted in a child’s marks/bruises. A staff member grabbed a group of one-year-old children by their arms, placed children in a seated position, in a rough manner during a transition.”

Rule Child was handled roughly.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child’s file.

“The provided failed to complete an incident report when a child was injured while in care.”

Rule Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 12, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.

“Staff failed to ensure children’s physical needs and a child sustained injuries.”

Rule There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 29, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“The sand on playground 3 surrounding the slide was 4 inches in some areas instead of the required 9 inches.”

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: Feb 29, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.