Routine inspection·July 18, 2023

On 7/18/2023 , Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Carol Heath conducted an unannounced Required 1-Year inspection at the Mackelrath Family Child Care . Upon arrival, the LPA met with the licensee, Melanie Mackelrath , who guided the LPA on a tour of the facility. Family members residing in the home include 1 adult (licensee) . Per LIS, facility annual fees are current. Pre Guardian, the licensee’s adult son is still show in process in this facility. According to the licensee, she will follow up with Guardian to find out what happened. Currently, the son is living at different state. This is a large family childcare facility. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. There were 13 children-care children with the licensee and 1 assistant present during this inspection. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) were discussed. The Licensee will not be providing IMS to the children at this time. The licensee reported to the Palmdale RO for her garage fire last week. She was on vacation (out the town) when the fire happened. LPA did not smell any smoke inside the facility and the garage was block with fence. The home is set up as follows: This is a two story home with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, with kitchen/dining, family room, living room, formal dining room, office/bonus room, and garage. There is no pool/spa or body of water on the premises. The garage is used for storage only, and no childcare activities are conducted there. The home was inspected for safety, comfort, cleanliness, telephone service, central air, and heat and ventilation. The house has central heating and air conditioning. All windows have screens and are free of cracks, bugs, and debris. Main care is provided in the game room, office/bonus room/nap room, and family room. Children use the bathroom in the hallway. · Family room/Game room/Office/Bonus room/Nap room: In the areas, LPA observed a fireplace that was properly screened via a mirror glass barrier which made it inaccessible to children. LPA observed age-appropriate toys and furniture for the children. There are games and books on the premises of this facility. There are mats on the floor that have educational/learning activities on them. The mats were observed to be in good condition. · Children’s Bathroom (#1): Children use the bathroom next to the left side of the hallway. The Bathroom was toured and inspected sink/toilet is in operable condition. The toilet and faucets are clean, safe, and operable. All poison and medications are made inaccessible to children with child safety latches on the sink cabinet and drawers. The bathroom was observed to be free and clear of hazardous items. The bathroom was clean, sanitized, and in good repair. · Kitchen/Dining Room: The kitchen was inspected to ensure hazardous and dangerous items were inaccessible to children (Safety latches). In the kitchen, all sharp utensils, poisons, and medications are made inaccessible to children with child safety latches on cabinet doors and drawers. Sharp knives are kept in a butcher block in the gated kitchen. · Backyard: The backyard was inspected; The backyard is gated all around. The outdoor play area was observed to be free of hazards, and loose and sharp parts. Children play in the backyard. There is a grass area for active play. There is a covered barbecue grill. The left and right-side yards have a gate. Off-limit areas include the entire upstairs (Bedroom #1, #2, and #3, bathrooms #2 and #3) and garage (laundry in the garage). LPA observed a safety gate in front of the stairs to make the second floor inaccessible to the children. Other: · AC/Heating Unit / Swamp Cooler unit was observed. The AC/Heating Unit is located on the left side of the home and is inaccessible to children via barrels blocking access to the AC unit. · Bodies of water: Pre the licensee, there were no bodies of water in the home. There is a decorative water fountain that has no water. · Electrical outlets: All unused electrical outlets are plugged in and made inaccessible to children. · Food: The licensee is enrolled in Food program. The licensee will provide Breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Or the food is brought from home. The containers were labeled with the children’s names and properly stored or refrigerated. · Fire extinguisher (2A10BC) : LPA observed a required fire extinguisher (2A10BC) reading in Green and located in the childcare room, inaccessible to children. It meets standards established by the State Fire Marshall. · Fireplace: The fireplace was observed in the Playroom and is screened to make it inaccessible to the children. · Hanging window blind cords : The cords are inaccessible to children. · Isolation area (Illness): Per the licensee, if the child shows signs of illness, they will be separated from other children and stay in the office. · Medications and cleaning solutions : Detergents/cleaning compounds are under the kitchen sink cabinet, inaccessible to the children. Medications are in the kitchen on the high cabin. · Napping: Children will nap in designated areas with adult supervision. LPA observed 11 mats and 2 cribs in the closet. · Overnight Care: According to the licensee does not provide overnight care. · Pets: No pet · Phone service: There is a working landline or cell phone · Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide: The smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices tested operable. · The First Aid kit is in the children’s bathroom with safety latch, inaccessible to children. The First Aid Kit was observed to be complete with supplies and a first aid manual . · Transportation : The licensee does provide transportation for children. The licensee has a valid California driver's license, valid vehicle insurance, and vehicle registration. · Weapons or Firearms: Per the licensee, there are No Firearms at the facility at this time. LPA does not observe any firearms. Documentation: · Child files : LPA observed that 8 children's files contained all required licensing documents. · CPR/First Aid: LPA observed licensee has current Pediatric CPR and First Aid Training with an expiration date (of 05/2023) . · Fire Drill and Disaster Drill: Per the licensee, fire and disaster drills are conducted every 6 months; the last drill was documented and performed on 06/02/2023 . · Immunization: The licensee and her assistant have the required immunizations (MMR and DTaP). The licensee and her assistant provided a written statement declining the influenza vaccination. · Infant Sleeping Plan (LIC 9227) and Sleeping Log: Per the licensee, NO infant (0-12 months) is enrolled in the facility. · The licensee does post all required information · Mandated Reporter Training: The licensee has completed and renewed the online mandated reporter training at www.mandatedreporterca.com on 6/27/2021. · Staff Personnel File: LPA observed 1 staff information. The file contained all required licensing documents. The following information was discussed with the licensee : ü Mandatory Forms for the children's files and provider's files. ü The licensee is reminded that 100% supervision is required for children at all times. ü Capacity requirements, Roster requirements, and Documentation requirements for disaster drills (fire and earthquake). ü Licensee was made aware that it is their responsibility to know the regulations and anyone who assists in providing care. Licensee was advised that the inaccessibility of hazards must be constantly reassessed depending on the children in care. Licensing must always have the facility's phone number; if the phone number is changed, licensing must be notified. ü Licensee was advised of the requirement to report unusual incidents and injuries to the parent/guardian and Licensing within the time frame specified by the regulation and on the form LIC624B ü The licensee was informed of the responsibility to report suspected Child Abuse by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-540-4000. Also, call the CCL office and follow up with a written Unusual Incident/Injury Report (LIC 624B). ü Criminal Record Statement: The licensee [or facility representative] was reminded that all adults 18 and over living or working in the home, including employees and volunteers, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption or transfer their existing support or exemption prior to the initial presence in a licensed Family Child Care Home. 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. ü Safe Sleep: LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with the licensee [or facility representative] and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed the licensee [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. ü A baby walker shall not be allowed on the premises of a family child care home in accordance with Health and Safety code sections 1596.848(b) and (c). State law prohibits baby walkers, bouncy seats, exersaucer, and other items that fall into that category. ü Notice of Site Visit: A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. ü Posting Requirements: Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. ü The regulation prohibits the smoking of tobacco in a private residence that is licensed as a family childcare home and in those areas of the family day care home where children are present (24/7 ban). ü Licensee was advised to visit the CCL website ( www.ccld.ca.gov ) to obtain updates on courses and updates/changes to the regulations. n Our Quarterly updates come out every 3 months. They are also now in Spanish. Please log in to the CCLD website, or you can email our advocates to have the quarterly updates sent directly to your email. Child Care Advocates information: www.childcareadvocatesprogram@cdss.ca.gov ü The Duty Worker is available for questions Monday through Friday at (661) 202-3318 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ü A copy of the Safe Sleep Proposed Regulations was provided to the licensee. No deficiency was cited in accordance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and/or Health & Safety codes. An exit Interview was conducted, and a copy of this Report and a Notice of Site visit were provided to the licensee, Melanie Mackelrath.