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Inspection visit

Routine inspection

A BETTER CHOICE PRESCHOOLLicense 1038017621 citation on this visit
1 citation recorded

Inspector’s narrative

What the inspector wrote

On 5/5/2022 an unannounced annual inspection was conducted today by Licensing Program Analysts, (LPAs) Caroline Harris and Stephanie Vega-Gonzalez. LPAs met with Director, Cordelia Dixon-Hackett and toured the facility, both indoors and outdoors. The LPAs observed all required licensing forms to be posted in a visible location for authorized representatives to view them. A census was taken and there were four day care children present. This facility operates a full day program. Hours; Mon - Fri from 6:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. The licensee takes measures to keep the facility free of flies, other insects, and rodents. The facility has age-appropriate furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, cribs, cots, or mats. Furniture and equipment are in good condition, free of sharp, loose, or pointed parts. The facility has sufficient infant napping equipment. A baby walker is not allowed on the premises. The facility has indoor activity space and outside space for infants that is physically separate from space used by preschool or school-age children. The surface of the outdoor activity space is maintained in a safe condition, and is free of hazards. All storage containers for solid waste, including moveable bins, have tight fitting covers. The child care center is clean, safe, sanitary, and in good repair at all times. Facility has one or more functioning carbon monoxide detectors. Bottles, dishes, and containers of food brought by the infant's authorized representative are labeled with the infant's name and the current date. Menus are posted at least one week in advance in a place visible by the child's authorized representative, dated, and kept on file for 30 days, and are made available on request. While in use, infant changing tables are placed within arm's reach of a functional sink. The facility ensures that each infant is never left unattended, and under the direct visual supervision of a staff person at all times. The facility is in compliance with the staff-infant ratios required. Firearms/weapons or ammunition are not allowed or stored on the premises. There were no bodies of water on site . The LPAs did not observe disinfectants, cleaning solutions and other dangerous items to be accessible to children. There were no poisons observed on the premises accessible to children. Licensee is aware that poisons are required to be locked and inaccessible to children. There is a working fire extinguisher, smoke detector, carbon monoxide indicator, and adequate heating and ventilation for safety and comfort. The licensee has a complete first aid kit, including bandages, scissor, thermometer, gloves and a first aid manual. The licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over, including employees and volunteers, 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 up to $500.00 maximum per day/per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. There are no excluded individuals present at this facility. Licensee is aware that upon notice from the Department, any excluded individual must be immediately removed from the facility and prevented from returning to the center or having contact with children in care. The licensee shall comply with the notice. Staff records contain appropriate, documentation of education credits. At least one person is to be trained in CPR and Pediatric first-aid and shall be present when children are at the facility or at off-site activities. This facility does have one person trained in CPR and first aid. Staff records contain documentation of immunizations against pertussis, measles and influenza for staff. LPAs reviewed with Ms.Dixon-Hackett the Mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training (AB 1207), which all staff have completed. Ms. Dixon-Hackett is aware that the Mandated Reporter Training is required to be updated every two years. Information on Lead Poisoning was also provided to the licensee and she was informed that the information is required to be posted on the parent board. The LPAs and licensee discussed the Community Care Licensing website: www.ccld.ca.gov . which provides access to Provider Information Notifications (PINS), Quarterly Updates that inform licensees of new legislation and regulations, training's, and Licensing forms and updated information. The licensee was also advised that it is her responsibility to stay current with regulations. Fire drills are conducted and documented with the date, time and how many children present, every six months. The person, who signs the child in/out, is responsible for the child, uses their full legal signature and records the time of day. The LPAs reviewed four children\342\200\231s files. All required licensing documents were observed in each of the children\342\200\231s files. Child's admission agreement is available for review. Licensee also maintains documentation of immunizations for the children. The facility has an individual feeding plan for each infant that meets the requirements. The facility ensures that each infant has an Infant Needs and Services Plan. LPAs discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep web page at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPAs 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. There is one crib or play yard available for each infant in care, however the licensee uses cots for the infants due to safety. Infants are not swaddled while in care. Staff physically checks on sleeping infants (0-24 months) every fifteen minutes and documents any signs of distress which includes but is not limited to flushed skin color, increase in body temperature, restlessness and labored breathing. Infants can be visually observed. Individual Infant Sleeping Plan is completed and in file for each infant up to 12 months of age. Infants up to 12 months of age are placed on their backs for sleeping. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. This facility does not provide Incidental Medical Services (IMS). The licensee is aware that an IMS plan is required to be submitted to the licensing office if they choose to provide any of these services. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiencies are found: (see LIC809-D). An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report, along with appeal rights was provided and reviewed with Cordelia Dixon-Hackett . This report shall be made available to the public upon request. The LIC 9213 Notice Of Site Visit form was given to Ms. Dixon-Hackett and must remain posted for 30 days. To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey will 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 tools, please send them by email 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/process .

Citations

1 citation recorded*CCLD

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to children. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

  • 101439.1(g)Type B

    Upon observation during napping time, the LPA's observed the infant cots to be close together and observed the teacher stepping over two children asleep on their cots. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

FAQ · About this visit

Common questions about this visit

What happened during the May 5, 2022 inspection of A BETTER CHOICE PRESCHOOL?

This was a inspection inspection of A BETTER CHOICE PRESCHOOL on May 5, 2022. 1 citation were issued: 1 Type B.

Were any citations issued to A BETTER CHOICE PRESCHOOL on May 5, 2022?

Yes, 1 citation was issued (0 Type A, 1 Type B). The first citation was for: "Upon observation during napping time, the LPA's observed the infant cots to be close together and observed the teacher s..."

What type of inspection was this?

This was a inspection inspection. inspection inspections are conducted by CCLD as part of their licensing oversight.

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