Routine inspection·September 16, 2025

On 9/16/2025 at 2:32pm Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Morgan Pringle met Licensee Palak Chhikara for an Unannounced Annual/Random Inspection and a Capacity Increase. Present during the inspection was the Licensee, her helper, three (3) preschool age children, three (3) infants and one (1) school age child. One preschool child and the school age child are Licensee\342\200\231s children. Licensee lives in the home with her husband and their two (2) minor children. Licensee\342\200\231s home was toured for a health and safety inspection. The facility operates 8:30am \342\200\223 5:30pm, Monday \342\200\223 Friday. ON LIMITS AREA: Living room (used as play area), family room, dining area, bedroom (right side of hallway) and backyard OFF LIMITS AREA: Kitchen, two (2) bedrooms, two (2) remaining bathrooms, laundry area, and garage ISOLATION AREA: Family room A fire clearance was granted by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection Department on 8/28/2025. The Licensee has not obtained a signed Property Owner/Landlord Consent form (LIC9149). Without this consent, the Licensee understands that they can operate with a maximum capacity 12 children. If property owner/landlord consent is obtained in the future, the Licensee is advised that a new Application for a Family Child Care Home License (LIC 279) must be submitted with a change of capacity fee of $25, to increase the capacity and provide care to 14 children. Page 1 of 4 The facility is a single-story home rented by the Licensee. The inside of the home was observed to be neat, clean with ample age-appropriate materials for the children\342\200\231s learning and play. All toxins, and hazardous materials were observed to be in inaccessible areas. Licensee stated she provides all food for the children. All food that may be brought from the children\342\200\231s home will be properly labeled and stored. Licensee uses child sized tables, chairs and highchairs for meal times. All materials used for eating was observed to be well maintained, free from defects and in proper working order. Licensee provides all napping materials and bedding that was observed to be clean and properly stored. Licensee stated she does not transport children, there are no firearms, and there are no pets in the home. There is one (1) working smoke detector in the family room and in the hallway. There is one (1) working carbon monoxide detector in the family room. There is a 2A10BC fire extinguisher in the closet in the family room. The fireplace in the living room is blocked, making it inaccessible to the children. The home is equipped with central heat and air for proper ventilation. The backyard is fully fenced with ample space for the children to play. There is a deck with a large canopy for extra shade. LPA did not observe any harmful bodies of water in or around the home. There are no pools at the home. The facility is operating within its licensed capacity and is in ratio. Licensee\342\200\231s Health and Safety training has been completed and EMSA approved Pediatric CPR & First Aid training is complete and expires 2/15/2026. Licensee\342\200\231s Mandated Reporter training is complete and expires 6/11/2026. Fire/disaster drills have been conducted and documented, with the last drill logged on 8/12/2025. LPA verified all adults living and working in the home have obtained a criminal record clearance. All required forms are currently posted on the wall in the living room by the front door. LPA obtained the children\342\200\231s files, and facility files. No deficiencies were cited during LPAs inspection. Licensee was reminded that California law requires Licensees to report unusual incidents and/or injuries to children in care, to the child's authorized representatives, and to Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) within 24 hours by phone. Page 2 of 4 Within seven (7) days of the incident, Licensees must submit the Unusual Incident/Injury form (LIC 624B) to CCLD. Licensee was reminded that any structural changes or additions to the home must be reported to CCLD. Children\342\200\231s Roster must be properly maintained, and fire/disaster drills must be conducted every six (6) months and documented. EMSA approved Pediatric CPR & First Aid training must be completed every two (2) years. Mandated Reporter Training ("Child Care Providers") is required for all staff and is to be renewed every two (2) years by visiting mandatedreporterca.com/ . LPA informed Licensee that all forms can be downloaded at www.ccld.ca.gov . Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP. 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/ . 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 childcare by connecting them to childcare providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. During the exit interview, Licensee Palak Chhikara, confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS. Page 3 of 4 LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Licensee and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/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. Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platforms. To receive important licensed related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. 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 . A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Licensee Palak Chhikara. Page 4 of 4