Incident investigation·August 28, 2023

On 8/28/2023, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Ruby Ocegueda and Claribel Soto conducted an unannounced case management inspection for the purpose of addressing a self-reported Unusual Incident to the Department. Upon arrival, LPA\342\200\231s notified Head Teacher Carmen Cedeno the reason for the inspection. LPA\342\200\231s toured the facility and took a census. On 8/8/2023, facility representative contacted the Fresno Regional Office (FRO) to report that a child (child #1) had been accidentally left in the enclosed play yard without any staff supervision. Today, head teacher Carmen Cedeno confirmed that on 8/8/2023 at approximately 10:06 AM, the staff on duty counted 13 children before transitioning back to the classroom. The three staff on duty (staff #1, staff #2, staff #3) did not realize that after counting the children, child #1 went back and hid. Approximately three minutes after the staff and children transitioned into the classroom, child #1 walked himself/herself to the classroom where staff #4 then realized that child #1 was accidentally left in the play yard. Per reporting staff, staff notified the parents of the incident on the same day and LPA collected records confirming that the parent was notified. Child #1 was reportedly unhurt and did not appear to be in emotional distress. Today, head teacher Carmen Cedano discussed updated procedures to help avoid any absence of supervision in the future. Updated procedures included inspecting the play yard before the children return into the classroom. Staff continue to count the children as they enter the classroom. Per head teacher Cedeno, staff has been trained on these new procedures and were trained on active supervision. Today, LPA notified facility representatives that an informal meeting at the FRO would be arranged to further discuss this incident. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiency is being cited: (see next page, 809 D). Today a 500.00 civil penalty was assessed. Appeal rights were provided to head teacher Cedeno today and LPA Ocegueda reviewed this report. Upon receipt of a Type A violation, facility staff shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. A copy of LIC 9224 was given to head teacher Cedeno. This report shall be made available to the public upon request. LIC 9213 Notice of Site Visit is provided and required to be posted for 30 days.