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Inspection visit

Routine inspection

BALAS MONTESSORILicense 153808746
Clean visit · 0 citations

Inspector’s narrative

What the inspector wrote

On 8/25/25, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Crystal Ali arrived at the facility to conduct an Annual Random Inspection. LPA was met by Director Kristen Honeywell and permitted to enter the facility. LPA toured the facility in accordance with the facility sketch with the Director. During the inspection, LPA observed 60 children and 11 staff providing care and supervision. Facility operates Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 5:30pm. There are no bodies of water, no smoking and no weapons on the premises. LPA observed LIC 308 (stating Kristen Honeywell is the substitute director) and two waivers (dated 5/8/23 & 8/18/16) regarding facility using a computerized sign in/out system and outdoor space. Staffing Ration and Capacity: Facility consists of three classrooms, one art room, one office, one kitchen, one staff bathroom, two children\342\200\231s bathroom, and one outdoor play area. Facility maintains an adequate teacher-child ratio. Care and supervision were evaluated and determined basic needs of children are appropriate and are being met. Physical Plant: Furniture and equipment were inspected for age appropriateness and good repair. Telephone service, heating, lighting, and ventilation were evaluated. LPA observed sign-in sheets (digital) completed by each parent/guardian per requirements. LPA observed individual storage for children's belongings in the hallways. The children have access to water via individual water bottles and the water fountain on the playground and indoor. The facility provides filtered water to the children. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers were observed and in operable condition. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating according to Fire Marshall standards. First Aid Kit is present and with all the required items located in staff office. Trash cans with tight-fitted lids were observed. Pet: The facility has a goldfish tank in the lobby area. The fish food is stored in the staff office. Napping: Children are provided napping (approx. 12:30pm-2:30pm) and a calming/resting area for children, if needed. Parents take napping material home weekly to wash and clean. Any napping materials left at facility at end of the week are washed by a staff. Kitchen: The kitchen is off-limits and the door is locked when not in use. LPA observed the door being locked upon inspection. There is a clean, fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, freezer, stove, and microwave oven. The facility does not provide food. All children bring packed lunches and snacks daily from home. The facility places the lunchboxes in large bins near classroom #1. The packed lunches have ice packs in them. If a child lunchbox has no ice pack, then the facility will place the lunchbox in the refrigerator. Allergy lists are posted in the Brightwheel app that is available in each classroom. Soaps, detergents, cleaning compounds, or similar substances are stored separately from food supplies. The knives are in the top cabinet near sink. LPA observed that food preparation and storage areas are kept clean and free of litter and rubbish. LPA observed snacks in the kitchen that do not required cooking. The facility does not participate in the food program. Daily activity schedules are posted showing meal/snack times, and specific activities. Fire Extinguisher: Emergency Drills are conducted at least every six months and the last drills were conducted and documented on 4/16/25 fire drill completed at 10:00am and on 4/17/25 Earthquake drill at 8:30am. The fire extinguishers (3A40BC) are reading in green and meets the Fire Marshal Codes and Standards (last serviced 7/24/24). Director stated fire marshal came out last year on 11/28/2022. One fire extinguisher is at the front door of facility, second fire extinguisher is in the hallway next to classroom #2, and third fire extinguisher is at the back exit of the building. Bathroom: Age-appropriate sinks and toilets were inspected for availability and good repair. There are two bathrooms, one for girls and one for boys. In the girl\342\200\231s bathroom there are 2 sinks and 2 toilets, 1 changing table are all reachable by the children. The boy\342\200\231s bathroom has 1 sink, 2 toilets, and 1 urinal are all reachable by the children. Each restroom has adequate toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels available. Restrooms are cleaned, restocked with toiletries, and sanitized by on-site staff. Staff bathroom contains 1 toilet and 1 sink. Staff bathroom has some cleaning products in a locked cabinet. Medication: A review of medication policy indicated that prescription medication is administered only with the parent\342\200\231s written permission. The facility teachers pass out medication for the children in their classroom. In Classroom #2 there are children that have an EpiPen for food allergy (as needed) and in Classroom #3 one child that have inhaler for asthma (as needed). LPA did observe the medication logs for these children with their medication in a ziplock bag placed on top self of cabinet. LPA observed that these children (2) met criteria for IMS. Facility has the required documentation and training on how to administer these medications. Medication is labeled correctly and stored in its original container. This page was amended in records/documentation section. Medications are kept in each classroom on top self of cabinet. Children are inspected for illnesses as they arrive with a no-touch thermometer and an overall wellness check. Isolation area is the director office where a teacher will supervise the child until the parent comes. Transportation: Facility does not provide transportation for the children. Lead Testing/Drinking Water : The facility was built after 2010 and does not require the lead water testing. Outdoor Activity Space: The outdoor play area was inspected and observed to be free of hazards, loose, or sharp objects. Equipment was inspected for safety, cushioning material, good repair, and age appropriateness. The playground has a play equipment with two slides in the sand, there is one large shaded areas, a mini tricycle track, and has three large trees that provide additional shade. The facility will continue to provide 100% supervision when outside in the playground. Children are provided water via individual drinking bottles during outdoor play. The playground is well-fenced, all around and no bodies of water were observed in the outdoor play area. LPA observed several tricycles and other toys for the children to play with. Records/Documentation: LPA reviewed with facility representative the LIC 125, records to be maintained at the facility, for child\342\200\231s records, personnel records, administrative records, and parent board. LPA reviewed 8 children records. One child record is missing immunization record. Director reached out to the parent to request for the document. All other child records are in compliance. LPA reviewed 11 staff records. One staff file is missing TB results. All other files are in compliance. No deficiencies cited in accordance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and Health & Safety codes. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director Kristen Honeywell. 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 . Criminal Record Clearance - Child Care Centers Facility representative was reminded that all adults 18 and over, 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 Child Care Center. 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. Lead Testing \342\200\223 Child Care Centers (CCC) CCC COMPLETED TESTING AND NO LEAD EXCEEDANCES: Assembly Bill (AB) 2370, Chapter 676, Statutes of 2018, requires all licensed Child Care Centers (CCCs) constructed before January 1, 2010, to test their water (used for drinking and food preparation) for lead contamination before January 1, 2023, and then every 5-years after the date of the first test. For child care center licenses issued after July 1, 2022, the licensee shall test their water for lead within 180 days of licensure pursuant to Written Directives section 101700 (PIN 21-21.1-CCP). LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP . Safe Sleep - Child Care Centers LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with facility representative and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-andresources/ safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed facility representative 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. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) - Child Care Centers Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP . When any IMS is provided, an updated Plan of Operation that includes 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) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA are available at: https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/ . PIN 22-05-CCP. MyChildCarePlan.org \342\200\223 Child Care Centers Facility representative was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; a consumer education website that helps families obtain child care by connecting them to child care providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. Subscribe to CCLD important information - Child Care Centers 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-carelicensing/ subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication.

Citations

No citations recorded on this visit

The inspector found no violations of California child care regulations during this visit.

FAQ · About this visit

Common questions about this visit

What happened during the August 25, 2025 inspection of BALAS MONTESSORI?

This was a inspection inspection of BALAS MONTESSORI on August 25, 2025. The inspection found no deficiencies and no citations were issued.

Were any citations issued to BALAS MONTESSORI on August 25, 2025?

No citations were issued during this inspection. The facility was found to be in compliance with all applicable regulations.

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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