Cynthia’s Garden of Knowledge

Accurate records were not maintained for all children.

“Two children did not have documentation of the discussion of the parent participation plan. One child did not have a parent signature on the application. One child did not have medical information on file. Two children did not have a medical exam on file. One child did not have immunization records o file. One child did not have all information required on the application, and four children did not have a signed and dated statement showing the Prevention of Shaken Baby policy was reviewed with them.”

Rule Accurate records were not maintained for all children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 30, 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.

“In space 1a, an aerosol can of air freshener was stored in an unlocked drawer, 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.

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 one month.

“In space 1a, sleep checks were not consistently documented for all enrolled infants. One child did not have documented sleep checks for 4 days.”

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

“In space 1b, two electrical outlets did not have safety outlets when not being used.”

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.

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 did not have documentation showing the required training was completed. J. Blue’s training was due by 12/16/25 and S. Manning’s training was due by 7/2/2025.”

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: Jun 30, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“There was a staff member’s purse in an unlocked closet in space 1a. On the playground, nails were protruding from the wood in a small playhouse and broken plastic toys were accessible to children. In space 1b, adult scissors and push pins were not stored out of the reach of children.”

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 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A written statement from each child’s parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available.

“On the permission statements for transporting children, there were not dates provided to verify the timeframe of the standing permission to transport.”

Rule A written statement from each child's parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All children were not held or placed in feeding chairs or other appropriate apparatus to be fed.

“One child in space 1b was drinking from a bottle while walking around the room. The teacher stated that a bouncy seat and a play saucer was used as feeding chairs. These chairs are not easily cleaned; therefore, are not approved feeding apparatus.”

Rule All children were not held or placed in feeding chairs or other appropriate apparatus to be fed.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.

“The walls and doors throughout the facility were not in good repair. The doors need painting and some of the walls need painting.”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child’s parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted.

“(omit posting for centers located in a residence) Two children under that age of 15 months did not have an individual written feeding plan available for review or posted.”

Rule An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child's parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Baby bottles were not stored to protect from contamination.

“Baby bottles were being stored in the refrigerator in the kitchen. Five bottles did not have lids to avoid contamination.”

Rule Baby bottles were not stored to protect from contamination.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“Eleven children did not have a photograph used for identifying information in the vehicle used for transporting children.”

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: Jan 28, 2026. 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.

“In space 1a, plastic bags were stored under the sink. Children in this space are one and two years of age.”

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.

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

“A. Mercer’s hire date was 8/2024. The Health and Safety trainings were not completed within one year of hire date. The trainings were required to be completed by 8/2025.”

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: Jan 28, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.

“The last date of the posted EMC Plan was dated August 2022. The plan has not been revised to reflect changes in staffing.”

Rule The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 28, 2026. 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. Documentation was not on file to verify CPR training was completed for one employee hired on April 2, 2025.”

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: Jul 28, 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. Documentation was not on file to verify first aid training was completed for one employee hired on April 2, 2025.”

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 28, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.

“Apple sauce served to children for breakfast was not recorded on the menu as required for berry melon as required.”

Rule Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jul 23, 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.

“Documentation was not on file to verify Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment was completed by one employee hired on April 2, 2025.”

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 23, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All children were not held or placed in feeding chairs or other appropriate apparatus to be fed.

“A bottle was propped in an infant’s mouth while sleeping in a rocker in Space #1b.”

Rule All children were not held or placed in feeding chairs or other appropriate apparatus to be fed.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 31, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.

“The center’s safe sleep policy was not followed when an infant was observed sleeping in a rocker in Space #1b.”

Rule Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 31, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.

“A one year old child was grouped with three years old children in Space #3. A one-year-old child was grouped with children four and five years old in Space #4.”

Rule Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 31, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“Departure times were not recorded for nine children from December 2, 2024, to December 11, 2024.”

Rule Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled 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: Dec 31, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.

“Minimum staff child ratio requirements were not met when six (6) children ages seven months to one year old was cared for by one caregiver between Spaces 1a and 1b. Also, one care giver was observed providing care to elven (11) children ranging from ages one to three in Space #3.”

Rule Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 31, 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.

“A plastic grocery bag with marshmallows and cocoa was on the diaper table changing table between spaces #1a and 1b. A plastic grocery bag was hanging on the back of the door to the bathroom in Space #3.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 31, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“A bottle of hand soap labeled ‘keep out of reach of children’ was stored on a shelf below five feet from the finished floor in Space #2. Two wooden beams on the playground were cracked exposing splinters and cracked wood.”

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: Aug 19, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Human milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child’s home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child.

“A bottle prepared and sent from home was labeled with the child’s name and today’s date in Space #1B.”

Rule Human milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child's home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 13, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“A staff member’s bag was on a cubby accessible to children between Spaces 1A and 1B. A small blue toy was cracked exposing sharp edges on the playground.”

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: Feb 15, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.

“A file for a new employee working in Space #3 was not on site and available for review.”

Rule All staff records, except financial records, 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: Feb 6, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older.

“Four infants under one year of age were grouped with two-year-old children in Space 1A and 1B.”

Rule Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 6, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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

“Plastic grocery bags were observed in the bathroom on the back of the toilet and on a cubby below five feet in Space #2. A large plastic trash bag was observed on the floor beside the book area while infants were crawling around in Space 1A.”

Rule Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled 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: Feb 15, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.

“One caregiver was providing care to six children ranging from ages zero to two years old in spaces 1B.”

Rule Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care 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 6, 2024. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

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.

“Plastic grocery bags were observed in the bathroom on the back of the toilet and on a cubby below five feet in Space #2. A large plastic trash bag was observed on the floor beside the book area while infants were crawling around in Space 1A.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 15, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.

“Screen time was provided to children ranging form ages zero to two years old in Space 1A. The computer was playing a video and music for children.”

Rule Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 15, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.