Incident investigation·July 13, 2023

On 07/13/2023 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jose Penate, conducted an unannounced case management deficiency inspection. LPA met with Lead Teacher, Carla Douhan. The purpose of today\342\200\231s inspection was to follow up on an incident that occurred at the facility on 07/11/2023 in which child #1 was left unsupervised in the outdoor play area for approximately eight to ten minutes. Early Learning Coordinator, Megan Tupper, reported to the incident to Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) on 07/11/2023. During today\342\200\231s inspection LPA interviewed staff #1 whom was associated with the incident. Information obtained revealed that staff #1 , staff #2, and staff #3 were present during outdoor play time at approximately 09:45am on 07/11/2023. As the children were transitioning from outdoor to indoor. Prior to children returning to classroom staff #1 gave head count to other staff members, at the time she counted 6 children. Staff #2 confirmed count and proceeded to enter classroom without any knowledge of any other children being left in the outdoor play area. Staff and children then entered classroom and approx.. 8 to 10 minutes upon entering classroom staff #1 verified the count of children and noticed child #1 was not in the classroom. Staff immediately checked the outdoor playground area and observed child #1 in the outdoor play area hiding in the play structure tunnel, he was brought back into the classroom and observed for any injuries. Child #1 was deemed safe by staff and then immediately contact child #1\342\200\231s guardians and Megan Tupper. LPA observed the outdoor playground area and observed the play area that is utilized by preschoolers to be safe and open for visual supervision. The gate to the playground is self-latching and has an additional locking mechanism so that only staff members can open the gate. LPA discussed with lead teacher to utilize an easel board outdoors and write down the count of children in attendance when at outdoor play so that all staff members are aware of the count of children returning to classroom. LPA also recommended to have staff members assigned areas of responsibility (Staff Zone) to ensure all children are supervised while at outdoor play and to also ensure visual supervision at all times. Continued on LIC809-C Based on the above information obtained through interviewing staff #1 and through details obtained during the self-reporting process, and per California Code of Regulations Title 22 Division 12 Chapter 1, the following deficiency is being cited. (See 809-D). Appeal rights were provided. Upon receipt of this report, facility 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 completed signed copy of the LIC 9224 will need to be completed by each parent for each child in care. Notice of Site Inspection to be posted for 30 days from today\342\200\231s inspection. Exit interview conducted with Lead Teacher, Carla Douhan .