Routine inspection·October 23, 2025

On October 23, 2025, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Catherine Fernandes and Indira Loza met with Director/Teacher Encian Pastel for an Unannounced Random Inspection . The center was toured for a health and safety inspection. The facility operates from Monday through Friday from 8:00am–5:30pm. Present in care were 34 preschool age children with an additional 8 fingerprinted cleared staff members. The teacher- child ratio is within compliance according to regulations. The center is a parent Co-Op where the parents volunteer in the mornings. The center provides a variety of daily activities which include quiet and active play, rest and relaxation, eating and toileting. Classrooms: There are two main classrooms, the backyard and front yard classrooms. The room floors and surfaces were observed to clean and safe. Furniture and equipment were maintained in good condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. The heating, lighting and ventilation is adequate. The activities and toys appear to be age appropriate for the children in care. The children have their own areas to store personal belongings. During today's inspection, LPA did not observe any bodies of water, cleaning supplies, or toxic items accessible to children. There is a working telephone number for the center. Outdoor yard: There are two main playgrounds on the premises and two outdoor areas where children will have lunch and art activities. The outdoor activity space is maintained in a safe condition, and free of hazards. The play area is fully fenced with shaded areas for the children. There is a sandbox in the play area, which was covered. There is a large play structure that is bolted to the ground. The climbing equipment is cushioned to absorb a fall. There are no pools, fishponds, fixed in place wading pools or similar bodies of water on the property. REport continues on 809C Food Service: The kitchen area was maintained in a clean manner. The children bring their own lunches and parents provide snacks to all the children in care. All the children have personal water bottles and access to clean drinking water while indoors and outdoors. The center has conducted their lead testing and does not have lead exceedances in the sinks used for food prepping or drinking. Cleaning equipment was observed to be stored in separate areas from the food supplies and were inaccessible to children. There is a tight fitting lid on the trash cans that contained food. The kitchen room is off limit to children. Bathrooms: There is a total of four toilets and four sinks available for the children which are in operational conditions. There are supplies for the children to wash and dry their hands. There is one staff bathroom in the front classroom. Fire System: The center has maintained their fire clearance which has been approved by the Berkeley Fire department. The fire system is hardwired with smoke detectors in the classrooms. There is a working carbon monoxide detector, and a fully charged 3A40BC fire extinguisher in the front classroom. LPAs observed pull down fire alarms at each of the classroom's entrances and the center has a first aid backpack in the both classrooms. Postings: There is a posted form that contains local health department and information on child passenger restraints. LPA observed the Parents rights and the center license posted. Records: The center utilizes an electronic sign in and sign out sheet. A random sampling of five children files were reviewed and all files were complete. LPAs reviewed five staff files and observed current immunization records, health screenings, teacher qualifications and mandated reporter certificates. The center has provided proof of at least one staff member with a current CPR certificate While at the center LPAs obtained a current children's roster, and a Personnel report. Director was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; a consumer education website that helps families obtain child care by connecting them to child care providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. Report continues on 809C Medications (IMS): This facility provides Incidental Medical Services – IMS. LPA reviewed storage of “medication and equipment/supplies, and reviewed children’s, personnel, and administrative records. For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP. The following information regarding ADA was provided: US Department of Justice (USDOJ) toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication. Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA are available at: https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-carecenters/ . Center Director was reminded that all adults 18 and over, including employees and volunteers, except as specified in Health and Safety Code section 1596.871, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption, or transfer their existing clearance or exemption, prior to initial presence in a Child Care Center. A civil penalty of $100.00 minimum/day for a maximum of 5 days or, if the penalty is for a repeat violation, for a maximum of 30 days per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. Assembly Bill (AB) 2370, Chapter 676, Statutes of 2018, requires all licensed Child Care Centers (CCCs) constructed before January 1, 2010, to test their water (used for drinking and food preparation) for lead contamination before January 1, 2023, and then every 5-years after the date of the first test. For child care center licenses issued after July 1, 2022, the licensee shall test their water for lead within 180 days of licensure pursuant to Written Directives section 101700 (PIN 21-21.1CCP). LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. PIN 22-05-CCP Page Four To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey may be sent to the email address provided. Please complete the survey and share your inspection experience. If you have any questions regarding the process or CARE tools, please send email inquiries to inspectionprocess@dss.ca.gov. For additional information regarding the inspection and its tools and methods, please visit the Program website at www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/inspection-process . No deficiencies were cited during today's inspection. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director. Report provided