Routine inspection·April 26, 2024

On Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:15 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Evelyn Garcia conducted an unannounced annual inspection and met with Site Director, Meshell Cox who guided LPA Garcia on a tour of the facility. This is a preschool program that serves children ages 2 to 5 years old. This program operates Monday to Friday 9:00am \342\200\223 2:00pm. Sign in and out takes place at the entrance of the Director\342\200\231s office. All areas identified on the facility sketch were toured and inspected both indoors and outdoors. Teacher and child ratio were observed, and present staff are fingerprinted cleared. At arrival, there were 30 children present, 8 staff including Director. LPA entered the 2\342\200\231s Classroom. LPA Garcia observed 7 children engaged in prepping for snack and 2 staff present supervising the children. LPA observed age-appropriate furniture and equipment to be in good condition, free of sharp, not loose, or pointed parts and age-appropriate toys accessible to children. LPA observed cubbies for children to store their personal belongings, individual water bottles that brought from home and additional bottled water is provided and cups are re-filled as needed. Cleaning supplies were observed to be stored in the paint room adjacent to the classroom, in a high cabinet that is secured with a safety lock, inaccessible to children. In the paint room, there is 1 toilet and 1 hand washing station, and diaper changing pad. This restroom is only used by the children in the 2\342\200\231s classroom. This room is also used as a materials storage room. LPA Garcia observed a step trash bin with a lid. LPA entered the 3\342\200\231s Classroom. LPA Garcia observed 16 children engaged in prepping for snack and 4 staff present supervising the children. LPA observed age-appropriate furniture and equipment to be in good condition, free of sharp, not loose, or pointed parts and age-appropriate toys accessible to children. LPA observed cubbies for children to store their personal belongings, individual water bottles that brought from home and additional bottled water is provided and re-filled as needed. Cleaning supplies were observed to be stored in a storage closet located in the restroom adjacent to the classroom that is secured with a safety lock, inaccessible to children. LPA Garcia observed a step trash bin with a lid. LPA entered the Pre-K Classroom. LPA Garcia observed 8 children engaged in prepping for snack and 2 staff present supervising the children. LPA observed age-appropriate furniture and equipment to be in good condition, free of sharp, not loose, or pointed parts and age-appropriate toys accessible to children. LPA observed cubbies for children to store their personal belongings, individual water bottles that brought from home and additional bottled water is provided and re-filled as needed. Cleaning supplies were observed to be stored in a storage closet located in the restroom adjacent to the classroom that is secured with a safety lock, inaccessible to children. This restroom is between the 3\342\200\231s Classroom and Pre-K Classroom and shared by both classrooms. LPA Garcia observed a step trash bin with a lid. Heating, lighting and ventilation were evaluated by LPA Garcia. LPA observed split type Heating and A/C units located on the walls of each classroom. LPA observed the thermostats located in the classrooms, temperatures read at 70 degrees. LPA observed fire extinguishers located in each classroom and Director\342\200\231s office. The valve for the fire extinguisher on the required 3A-40-BC fire extinguishers indicating fully charged and serviced on 4/26/23. The dual smoke/ carbon monoxide detectors were tested during this visit and LPA heard sounds and are operable. The last emergency drill was conducted on 2/20/24. LPA observed napping equipment (mats) to be in good condition and stored in the classrooms. First aid kit supplies are kept inside the classrooms in cabinets or storage closets, out of reach to the children. LPA observed the kits to be fully equipped. During this visit, per Site Director, Meshell Cox stated currently has no children with medication nor with food allergies. LPA Garcia asked if there were any poisons, firearms, weapons or bodies of water. Site Supervisor stated no firearms, weapons, no poisons nor bodies of water. LPA did not observe firearms or weapons, poisons, nor bodies of water. Site Director, Meshell Cox stated the ill isolation area takes place in the Site Director\342\200\231s office and children will utilize staff restroom. There are 2 restrooms located in this facility. One is located in the 2\342\200\231s Classroom and another is between the 3\342\200\231s Classroom and the Pre-K Classroom and shared. LPA Garcia observed the restrooms to be in good condition with working toilets, sinks, hand soap dispenser and paper towels. LPA observed a total of 6 toilets, 6 hand washing sinks that are utilized by the children. There is a staff restroom at this facility with 1 toilet and 1 hand washing sink. LPA Garcia entered the outdoor play area. The outdoor play area is surrounded by property walls that are concrete block on the bottom half and chain link fence on the top half. LPA Garcia observed the equipment to be in a safe condition, free of sharp, no loose or pointed parts. The surface of the outdoor activity space (concrete, poured in rubber and sand) is maintained in a safe condition and is free of hazards. Site Director stated that sweeping of the sand occurs continuously throughout the day each time children are utilizing the outdoor play area to prevent slipping and falling. LPA Garcia observed play structure and equipment to be age appropriate for ages 2-5 years and areas around or under high climbing equipment, are cushioned with poured in rubber and sand that may absorb a fall. For adequate shade, LPA Garcia observed trees, hip roof shade structures and sunshade sails. LPA observed the playground yard to be fenced and gates that leads to street closed and locked. For outdoor water drinking, staff bring out the children\342\200\231s individual water bottles and are re-filled as needed. 1 hand washing station for outdoor hand washing. This program provides snacks for the children, and children bring their own meals from home and kept in individual lunch bags. LPA Garcia informed Site Director that any food brought from the children's homes, the container shall be labeled with the child's name and properly stored or refrigerated. LPA observed the food preparation area to be clean and free of litter, rubbish, rodents, and/or any other vermin and storage containers for solid waste, including movable bins with tight-fitting covers that are kept on, and in good repair. The kitchen is only used for snack prep and storage. Menus were posted in the classrooms. Lead testing was conducted on 12/08/22 and no lead exceedance. The following documents were posted in a prominent, publicly accessible area at the facility: Facility License, Notification of Parents' Rights (PUB 393), Personal Rights (LIC 613A), Menu, and Earthquake Preparedness (LIC 9148), Emergency Disaster Plan (LIC 610) and Daily Schedule. LPA Garcia observed sign in/out sheets and observed 30 signatures. LPA Garcia reviewed the children\342\200\231s roster, children\342\200\231s files and staff files and observed the files to be complete. LPA Garcia observed Site supervisors Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification dated 3/6/23, Preventative Health and Safety certification was not found in director\342\200\231s personnel file. LPA will provide Director with information for certification to be completed and will be submitted to LPA as soon as possible. Director has proof of immunization against Pertussis, MMR and Influenza. Director has completed the mandated reporter (AB 1207) training dated 1/18/24. Director was advised that the mandated reporter training must be completed every 2 years, and is available at www.mandatedreporterca.com Items discussed during this visit: 1. The following items are prohibited by Licensing: Refused Entry to a Facility or Any Part of a Facility is a violation of Section 1596.852, 1596.853 or 1597.09. Regulations 101238 (g) (2), The Presence of an Excluded Individual, Fire Clearance Violations, Accessible Bodies of Water, Accessible Firearms, Ammunition or Both 2. Breakfast/Lunch/Snack Menus: Menus are required to be posted one week in advance where it is visible by the child's authorized representative. Menus for the past 30 days must also be available upon request. 3. Current Children\342\200\231s Roster: Each childcare facility shall maintain a current roster of children who are provided care in the facility. The roster shall include the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the child's parent or guardian, and the name and telephone number of the child's physician. This roster shall be available to the licensing agency upon request. 4.LIC 311A - Records to be Maintained at the Facility: LPAs advised that forms, regulations and quarterly updates can be accessed on the Child Care Licensing website at: www.ccld.ca.gov . 5.Pediatric First Aid and CPR: At least one person trained in Pediatric First Aid and CPR and EMSA approved must be present. 6.Designated Staff: The name of the childcare center director or fully qualified teacher(s) designated to act in the director's absence must be on file. 7.Qualifications: Educational background, training, and/or experience for each staff present must be available for review 8. Immunization Requirements: Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles or influenza declination 9.Children\342\200\231s Records: must be available for review; including but not limited to, the following: Name, address and telephone number of the child's authorized representative and of relatives or others who can assume responsibility for the child if the authorized representative cannot be reached when necessary. Criminal Record Clearance - 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. 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 21-21.1CCP). LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. LPA referred facility representative to the Department website for lead: Lead Toxicity Prevention and Water Testing Information. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02CCP. 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/ . 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. 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 Notice of Site Visit - A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a $100.00 civil penalty. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Cynthia Garcera.