Routine inspection·June 20, 2025

On 06/20/2025 at 10:30 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kayla Merchant conducted an unannounced annual inspection for Lynndi Ernst's large family child care home. During today's inspection, there were 12 children in care (10 preschoolers and 2 infants) and 14 children enrolled. Family members residing in the home are licensee and licensee\342\200\231s husband. All adults in home have Criminal Record Clearance. Facility hours of operations are Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM. The home is a two-story home with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room, family room, kitchen, dining area, office, converted garage (main day care area) and back yard. ON-LIMIT AREAS: Kitchen, downstairs bathroom, converted garage, family room, and backyard. OFF-LIMIT AREAS: Entire second level, office, dining area, and living room and are inaccessible to children by locked doors, safety gates and visual supervision. Areas accessible to children were inspected to ensure that they are clean and orderly with heating and ventilation for the safety and comfort of children in care. There were safe toys, play equipment and materials observed for children. There are stairs in the home that are made inaccessible for children in care. There is a working telephone in the home. Detergents, poisons, cleaning compounds, medications, and other items which can pose a danger to children are made inaccessible in the home. Per licensee, there are no weapons or firearms in the home. Licensee has an up to code 3A40BC fire extinguisher and working smoke/carbon monoxide detector on the premises. LPA observed a screened fireplace in the family room. Licensee last conducted a disaster drill 02/03/2025. LPA observed 2 dogs in the home. *Page 2* LPA inspected the backyard and observed a fully fenced and safe backyard for children with age-appropriate toys and a play structure. LPA observed a fully enclosed pool that has a cover that meets Health & Safety Code (HSC) 1596.814 pool safety requirements. The enclosure is at least 60 inches in height, with a self-closing, self-latching door that has a key lockable device at the top. There is a 2-inch vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure. The gaps/voids are no more than 4 inches. LPA also observed a life ring with a minimum exterior diameter of 17 inches and labeled as approved by the United States Coast Guard and rescue pole with a body hook and a minimum fixed length of 12 feet that meets Health & Safety Code (HSC) 1596.814 pool safety requirements. LPA reminded licensee when outside of facility, 100% supervision of children in care is required. Children\342\200\231s records were reviewed to ensure that each child has an Identification and Emergency form. The licensee Pediatric First Aid and CPR certificate will expire in 01/2026. Required postings were observed in the main daycare room. The facility has liability insurance which is valid through May 2026 LPA reminded licensee day care needs to be operated within the limitations and capacity of a Large Family Child Care Home with regards to ratios and that licensee has to be present in the day care for 80% of the operation hours each day. LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-andresources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed licensee of the importance of checking for recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at https://www.cpsc.gov/ and recommended they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02CCP. When any IMS is provided, a Plan for Providing IMS must be submitted to the Department. The following information regarding ADA was provided: US Department of Justice (USDOJ) toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at: https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/ . *Page 3* On or before March 30, 2018, any person who works in a child care facility shall complete Mandated Reporter training and renew the training every 2 years. Website provided: https://www.mandatedreporterca.com/training/child-care-providers . Licensee has provided Mandated Reporter certificate, and the certificate will expire 2/2026. Licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over living or working in the home, 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 licensed Family Child Care Home. 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. Licensee 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. 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 . In the areas that were evaluated, there were no violations observed. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee, Lynndi Ernst. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 consecutive days.