Incident investigation·October 1, 2021

On 10/01/2021, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jeovanna Yanez conducted an unannounced case management inspection. LPA toured the facility and a census was taken. LPA met with Center Director , Lorena Palomo. The purpose today's inspection was to discuss an incident that occurred on 9/21/21, in which child #1 was left unsupervised in the outdoor play area for approximately five minutes. This incident was reported to the Fresno Community Care Licensing Office on 9/21/21 by Center Director, Lorena Palomo. During today's inspection, LPA interviewed Center Director (CD) whom was associated with the incident. Additionally, LPA conducted a telephone interview with Program Director. Information obtained revealed that while transitioning from outdoor to indoor, child #1 hid from staff #1 and remained in the outdoor play area while the rest of the classroom went indoors for snack time. CD stated she was indoors with three (3) children while staff #1 was outdoors with seven (7) children. As the children were transitioning from outdoor to indoor, CD was interacting with child #2, and staff #1 was occupied with children in the restroom helping them wash their hands and sit down to eat snack. As the children finished transitioning into the classroom, and after about five minutes, staff realized child #1 was missing. CD and staff #1 checked the classroom and restroom for child #1. CD went to check the outdoor playground area while staff #1 stayed in the classroom with the children. CD observed child #1 in the outdoor play area, sitting at the bottom of the slide crying stating, "They left me." Child #1 was brought back into the classroom and observed for any injuries. Child #1 was deemed safe by staff and child #1’s guardians were immediately contacted. Program Director, Adriana Barron was also contacted at that time. LPA observed the outdoor playground area and observed the play area that is utilized by children to be fenced in, in a manner to prevent other individuals from accessing the playground. The gate to the playground is self-latching and locking so that only staff members with keys can lock/unlock the gate to the play area. (Continued on 809-C) *This is an amended report. Center Director acknowledged that as a result of lack of supervision, child #1 was left in the outdoor play area unsupervised. This poses an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiency is being cited: (see next page, 809 D) Exit interview conducted with Center Director, Lorena Palomo and a copy of appeal rights was provided. Upon receipt of a Type A violation, licensee 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 the Fact Sheet - Child Care Parent Notification Requirements and a copy of LIC 9224 was given to licensee. 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.