Pre-licensing visit·September 18, 2024

On 09/18/2024, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs), Nancy Her and Lady Cabrera conducted an announced Pre-Licensing inspection for a new license. Upon arrival, LPA met with Applicant/Facility Representative Patricia Gonzalez. Applicant is requesting to be licensed for 60 preschoolers age 2 years to 6 years old in classrooms P2, P3, and P4. This facility is on the campus of Tamarack Elementary School. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 7:15 am to 4:00 pm. This facility will operate on a traditional school year schedule. All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized for the children was inspected today. LPA informed Ms. Gonzalez that staff are required to maintain direct visual supervision of the children at all times during indoor and outdoor activities. When medications are on site, Ms. Gonzalez stated that they will be in the nurses office. A fully equipped first aid kit is located in the work rooms in between each classroom. There is an operational carbon monoxide detector on site located on the ceiling. All required licensing documents were observed posted on the parents board by the classroom entrance. Children will be signed in and out in front of each classroom. LPA continued to tour the facility and measured all indoor and outdoor activity space. Total indoor activity space measured 3067 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 60 children. LPA observed all indoor activity space to be complete with safe, age-appropriate furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, cubbies, napping cots/mats, bookshelves, and other activity supplies for the children. Drinking water is available in the classrooms via water fountain. LPA observed all hazardous items to be inaccessible to children. There are no bodies of water or weapons on the property. Fire clearance was granted on 08/14/2024 by Kings County Fire Department. LPA observed a total of 6 sinks and 3 toilets available for children’s use. These are insufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 60 children. Due to only having 3 toilets available for children’s use, capacity is being reduced to 45 children. There is a separate staff restroom equipped with a toilet and a sink. The isolation area for children who are ill will be the nurse’s office. Facility will provide breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Food is prepared in the elementary school cafeteria and brought to the classrooms by staff. The facility currently has a fully fenced playground area. Fencing is at least four feet high. The total square footage for all the outdoor activity space is 7978 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity. Shade is provided via canopy above climbing structure. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on the playground. There is a climbing structure on the playground for children ages 2 years to 5 years which is properly anchored. There is adequate cushioning in fall zones of climber provided by rubber pour. Drinking water is available via water fountains. LPA observed all hazardous items on the playground to be inaccessible to children. Applicant Ms. Gonzalez was reminded that any changes to the facility must be reported to and approved by Community Care Licensing. 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). Applicant was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, 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. This facility plans to provide Incidental Medical Services – IMS. For IMS information, see PIN 22-02-CCP. A 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, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm . LPA reviewed with applicant the LIC 311A, Records to Be Maintained at The Facility, for child’s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted.” Applicant was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, 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. 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-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. The following corrections are needed prior to the issuance of the license: · The bolts on the outdoor play area fencing will need to be shaved down and/or capped. · The building wall in the grass area will need to be repaired. · A new fire clearance will need to be granted for 45 children. Applicant Patricia Gonzalez understands that all proof of corrections must be provided to the Department within 30 days, or the application may be denied. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the applicant Patricia Gonzalez.