Incident investigation·December 4, 2025

On December 04, 2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Isabel Ortega met with facility Site Supervisor to conduct an unannounced case management inspection. The purpose of this case management is to follow up on a self reported unusual incident report (UIR) submitted to the Department on 12/03/2025. This UIR was originally called in to the OD number on 11/26/2025 at 5:05 p.m. Palmdale office was closed and reopened on 12/01/2025. Upon arrival, there were 42 children observed in care and 10 staff proving care and supervision. In addition, LPA toured the facility including the outdoor place area, LPA completed a safety inspection. Incident occurred on 11/26/2025 at 12:20 p.m. during the Center's rest period, C1 was laying on her cot and stood up and complained to staff #1 about her ear. According to staff #1 C1 stated "There is a poky thing in my ear." C1 was crying and held her right ear with her hand. According to staff#1 a flash light was utilize and staff #1 was able to see a white object in C1's ear. C1's father was notified and came to the Center and picked up C1. During this inspection LPA was provided with the facility roster, a photo, and C1's medical discharge report. LPA observed the area where the incident occurred and conducted interviews. C1 was taken to Urgent Care, Urgent care referred C1 to a specialist to remove the foreign object from C1's ear. According to facility C1 returned to day care on 12/02/2025 with no restrictions. According to interviews conducted, staff #1, #2, #3 stated they did not witness C1 put the shell or object in her ear. interviews disclosed C1 was napping in classroom B by the science area at the time of the incident and three staff were present in the classroom. According to medical report diagnosis C1 was observed with a white foreign body in the right ear completely obstructing the external auditory canal. Although, there were three staff in the classroom, staff did not have complete visual supervision during rest time. According to interviews conducted with staff, children, declarations collected and LPA's observation facility is cited a B citation for lack of adequate supervision. 101229 Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision According to facility sea shells in the science area have been removed in all classrooms A, B, and C. A notice of site visit was provided and requested to be posted for 30 days. An exit interview was conducted, a copy of this report, notice of site visit and appeal rights were provided to facility.