Incident investigation·January 13, 2023

On 1/13/23, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kathy Pacheco conducted an unannounced case management inspection. LPA met with Licensee Esmeralda Gonzales to discuss an incident that occurred on 12/8/22. LPA interviewed Licensee and observed the area where the incident occurred. On 12/8/22 around 9:30 a.m., Licensee stated she was having circle time with the children. She said she walked across the room to get another book and child #1 (see Confidential Names Form (LIC 809) dated 1/13/23) crawled under a child's table that was placed in front of the electric fireplace and he touched the glass on the fireplace. Licensee said the electric fireplace had been turned off approximately 45 minutes prior to any children arriving at the day care. She said all of it happened very quickly and she went to child #1 immediately after it happened. Licensee said child #1's fingers were red and she immediately ran his hand under cold water and then applied coconut butter to the areas that were red. She said she called child #1's authorized representative later that morning and explained the incident and asked the authorized representative to pick up child #1. Licensee said child #1 was picked up by the authorized representative. Licensee said the authorized representative told her she took child #1 to the doctor the next day and they did not do anything to child #1 or prescribe anything for child #1. Licensee stated child #1 returned to the day care on 12/12/22 and there were no issues. Licensee stated since the incident occurred, if she does use the electric fireplace on mornings that she supervises day care children, then she is sure to turn the electric fireplace off at least one and a half hours prior to children arriving so the glass is cooler to the touch. Licensee said she still places the child's table in front of the electric fireplace to keep children from being near the area and she closely supervises the children around the electric fireplace area to avoid further incidents. LPA and Licensee also discussed reporting requirements of all unusual incident reports to Community Care Licensing (CCL) and parents and/or authorized representatives of children in care. (continued on next page) Based on the information obtained, LPA determined Licensee handled the incident correctly and reporting requirements were met. LPA further determined Licensee took appropriate measures to address child #1's injury and she followed proper policies and procedures and no regulations were violated. Per California Code of Regulations Title 22, Division 12, no deficiency cited during today's inspection. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Licensee Esmeralda Gonzales.