LeafSpring School Ballantyne

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. One staff member's emergency information on file was dated September 3, 2024.

Violation corrected during visit

Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One staff member did not have verification on file that an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan had been completed.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/6/2026

Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. One child had a medical report on file that a physician had completed the bottom portion however, the top portion was not completed and signed by a parent.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/6/2026

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last shelter-in-place drill was conducted March 16, 2026.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/6/2026

Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Medical authorization for one child in space #2 did not include the time frame, where and when to apply the diaper cream.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/6/2026

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One staff member's health questionnaire on file was dated September 3, 2024.

Violation corrected during visit

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. A staff roster including all staff members has not been completed in the NC DHHS Automated Background Check Management System.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/6/2026

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. One new staff member with a hire date of August 26, 2025 had a medical report on file however, the report was not dated.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/23/2026

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. In space #6a, the diaper changing pad had a torn place on the side. In space #6b, the vinyl on a child size sofa was peeling.

Violation corrected during visit

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 6b, a Mod Podge aerosol can was stored in an unlocked cabinet.

Violation corrected during visit

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In space #6b, a tube of Aquaphor that belonged to a staff member was stored on top of a counter in the classroom. "Keep out of reach of children" was listed on the tube which would require it to be stored at least five feet above the floor.

Violation corrected during visit

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. On September 15, 2025 a Teacher grabbed a child three years by the face with both hands and yelled at the child. The Teacher also slapped the child on the back with both hands.

Violation corrected during visit

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. One staff member did not have a current qualification letter on file. The qualification letter expired July 13, 2025

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/22/2025

Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The medical exam was on file, however the top portion of the form was not completed by the parent.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 7/14/2025

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 #7, there were two electrical outlets that were not covered with safety plugs.

Violation corrected during visit

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. A bag of potting soil was located in the bottom of storage bin on the preschool playground. The bag had a warning that stated "keep out of reach of children".

Violation corrected during visit

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. In space #3, there was dried sticky food on a cabinet door and door handle.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/2/2025

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 #6a, there was an electrical outlet that was not protected by a safety cover. In space #6b, there were two electrical outlets that were not protected by safety covers.

Violation corrected during visit

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. In spaace #8, one child's parent authorization for emergency medication expired August 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/2/2025

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 #3, there were plastic bags stored in an unlocked bottom cabinet.

Violation corrected during visit

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. One staff member did not have verification on file that First Aid training had been completed.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/2/2025

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. One staff member did not have verification on file that CPR training had been completed.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/2/2025

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last documented shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was dated November 18, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/2/2025

The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child's parent or health care professional. In space #8, one child's medical action plan was dated February 7, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/2/2025

Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. February 5, 2025, a child was taken on a field trip without written permission from a parent.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/4/2025

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. One staff hired 7-19-21, does not have proof of completing the required on-going training hours for the 23-24 annual year. She had proof of 4 out of 20 hours required.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/21/2024

Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. Thirteen (13) staff do not have an annual review or staff development plan on file that was completed within the last annual year.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/21/2024

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. Sippy cups observed in Space 3 refrigerators were labeled but not dated.

Violation corrected during visit

The written feeding plan was not modified as the child's needs changed. In Space 3, one infant's feeding schedule stated bottles only, staff stated the infant has begun eating some baby foods and it is not listed on the current feeding plan.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/21/2024

Toys and other mouth-contact surfaces were not cleaned and sanitized daily when used or cleaned more frequently if visibly dirty. In Space 7 a large toy on the block shelf was observed with dirt and dust build up.

Violation corrected during visit

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. On the infant playground I observed a cracked plastic garden box on the ground. On the preschool playground I observed garden boxes cracked, storage shelves with plastic handles broken, on deck box had a broken handle, a green plastic basket was broken, and plastic interlocking shapes were observed cracked. Indoors, Space 3 I observed two (2) plastic wicker containers unraveling, Space 6 I observed cardboard blocks torn and with holes.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/21/2024

A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Two steering wheels on the preschool playground stationary equipment were observed loose and causing pinch points.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/21/2024

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. One floater's First Aid certification expired 2/29/24.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/8/2024

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. One floater's CPR certification expired 2/29/24.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/8/2024

Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Fourteen staff did not complete this requirement. Of the fourteen, five have not corrected and completed them; they are missing the administering medication and/or recognizing and responding to suspicions of maltreatment.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/21/2024

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Six staff did not complete health and safety training topics within the 5 years of last completion. Of the six, four have not completed one or two of the topics required, all others completed but past the 5 year mark.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/21/2024