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Day Care Cited Over Chemicals

Posted on: Thursday, 20 October 2005, 18:00 CDT

By Angela Mack, Star-News, Wilmington, N.C.

Oct. 19--A Leland day care center is in jeopardy of being shut down because of unsafe conditions.

Fun in Learning Child Development Center, in the 100 block of Old Fayetteville Road, received a "disapproved" sanitation inspection rating Oct. 12 after local health inspectors spotted cleaning chemicals left within reach of children.

The rating means the facility received 46 demerits or more in an inspection or failed to fix serious violations previously documented.

Fun in Learning received 50 demerits in its Oct. 12 inspection.

Gary McDonald, programs specialist with the Brunswick County Health Department, said the cleaning chemicals violation was initially documented at an unannounced visit in late September.

Other violations at the center include problems with lighting, construction and kitchen equipment.

The day care center, which was licensed in June, has an enrollment capacity of 48 children from birth to 12 years old. It is the former site of Dreams Come True Child Care Center, which operated under different ownership.

A news release from the owners of Fun in Learning, Ashley Mitchell and David Andrews, stated that since they took over the day care center, they have made several improvements to make it a "clean and safe place for our children."

"We have had our work cut out for us and have put a lot of hard work and money into bringing the existing facilities into compliance --," the release stated after listing some of the renovations they have completed, including play area upgrades and new carpet and paint.

According to the N.C. Division of Child Development Web site, there were no violations during an initial assessment of the facility June 9. Violations were first reported during a visit two months later.

The N.C. Division of Child Development notified the providers that their license would be revoked if the issues at the facility were not corrected in a timely manner, which was signed by the provider Oct. 7, according to a state official.

Anna Carter, assistant section chief for the division, said if another inspection yields an approved sanitation rating, the state will not take any action against the facility.

If an approved inspection is not obtained, a final notice of revocation will be sent. The providers would have 30 days to file an appeal or they can notify the division of the actions they plan to take to correct the problems or request another inspection.

Mr. McDonald said the providers have asked to meet with an inspector today to review renovation plans and facility updates.

"I think they're going to try to work things out," he said. "They need a center in that area."

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Copyright (c) 2005, Star-News, Wilmington, N.C.

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Source: Morning Star

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