Facility-requested visit·May 29, 2024

On 05/29/2024 at 10:30 am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs), Elka Chavez and Susann Sanchez conducted an unannounced Case Management inspection for an increase in capacity. Upon arrival, LPAs met with Licensee Representative, April Behrendt. This facility is currently licensed as a preschool program with a capacity of 60 children. The Licensee, California Heights United Methodist Children Center has requested to increase the preschool capacity by 20 additional children for a total new capacity of 80 in classrooms 1 (Bumble bees), 2 (Butterflies), 3 (Lady Bugs) and 4 (Owls). The facility is located next to California Heights United Methodist Church. There is a licensed school age program on-site, license number is 191605684. Per Facility Representative, parents enter through the main entrance located on Bixby Road. Hours of operation will be Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00pm. There were 57 children present with 11 staff during today\342\200\231s inspection. Appropriate ratios and supervision were observed. All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized for the children was inspected today. LPAs informed April Behrendt that staff are required to maintain direct visual supervision of the children at all times during indoor and outdoor activities. LPAs continued to tour the facility and measured indoor activity space. Total indoor activity space measured 2561.86 square footage, which is not sufficient to accommodate the requested increase of capacity. LPAs observed all indoor activity space to be complete with safe, age-appropriate furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, cubbies, napping cots, bookshelves, and other activity supplies for the children. Drinking water is available in the classrooms via Sparklets water dispensers. LPAs observed all hazardous items to be inaccessible to children. There are no bodies of water or weapons on the property. Fire clearance was granted by Long Beach Fire Department on 05/06/2024. LPAs observed a total of sinks 8 and 4 toilets available for children\342\200\231s use. These are not sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity. LPAs observed two additional restrooms located near the blacktop outdoor area. The two additional restrooms include 4 sinks 3 toilets and 1 urinal. Per Director, April Behrendt the restrooms are used by the preschool children in the morning and the school age in the afternoon. A waiver will be submitted to the Department for approval regarding the restroom plan. The facility currently has three separate fully fenced playground areas. Fencing is made of metal which was observed to be at least four feet high. The total square footage for the black top/bike and grass area is 3901.39 square feet. Director, April Behrendt stated that the black top/bike area is only used during the morning by preschool children. The preschool children use the preschool side yard in the afternoon because the school age children use the bike area and the fenced play structure area. The play structure was installed in 2023. A fence was placed around the area to keep the preschool children out because the structure is for ages 5 to 12. Per Director April Berhrendt the facility has always shared the playgrounds. There was a letter provided to the Department dated 7/26/2010 regarding the sharing of the playgrounds. The total square footage for the preschool side yard is 2281.70 square feet, which can only accommodate 30 children at one time, which is insufficient for the number of children being requested. A playground waiver to share the playground at different times due to limited square footage shall be submitted and approved prior to licensure for the capacity increase. LPAs observed shade is provided via fixed shade structure. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on the playground. Drinking water is available via "Sparklets" water and water fountains. LPAs observed all hazardous items on the playground to be inaccessible to children. Facility Representative was reminded that any changes to the facility must be reported to and approved by Community Care Licensing. The following corrections are needed prior to the issuance of the license: \302\267 Licensee will needs to request a waiver to allow the preschool children to share the restroom used by school age children. \302\267 Licensee will needs to request a waiver to the use the side playground at different times due to limited space. \302\267 Licensee will needs to request a waiver to the share playground black top/bike area with the school age and preschool children. A license for 73 children will be granted upon a final file review and approval of the outdoor waiver request. A notice of site visit was given to facility representative, April Behrendt, and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days.