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Inspection visit

Routine inspection

SIGNAL HILL HEAD STARTLicense 191605720
Clean visit · 0 citations

Inspector’s narrative

What the inspector wrote

Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Jeanette Estrada and Tyler Reyes conducted an unannounced annual inspection at the facility. Initially LPAs met with Head Teacher Sophia Toch. Early Learning Center Managers Keokuk Legarde and Vicente Alvarez joined at a later time. LPAs advised facility representatives of the purpose of the visit. This preschool is on the premises of Signal Hill Elementary and operates Monday through Friday. There are three head start classrooms in this program. Room 1 EHS which operates from from 7:45 AM to 2:45 PM, Room 2 Collaborative Co-Teaching (CCT) which operates in two sessions; 7:45 AM to 11:15 AM and 12:15 PM to 3:45 PM, and Room B19 which operates from 7:45 AM to 2:45 PM. Upon arrival LPAs observed 6 children and three staff in Room 1, 13 children and four staff in Room 2 and 14 children and two staff playing outside (Room B19). LPAs inspected areas used by children. Rooms 1 and 2 are located upon the entrance of the Head Start program. Room B19 is in an area separated by a gate. LPAs observed all documents required to be posted in the classrooms. Furniture and equipment were inspected for age appropriateness and good repair in both classrooms. Telephone service, heating, lighting and ventilation were evaluated and are operable. The facility has central air and heating. Lighting was observed to be in operable condition. Children have access to cubbies in the classrooms to store their belongings. Floors of each classroom were observed to be clean and free of hazards. Children in Room 1 and B19 are provided with a napping cot and sheet which is provided by the program. Per Facility Representative, the bedding is laundered by the program. Room 2 does not participate in nap time as it is a half day program. There is a designated isolation area located in the Head Start program office (Room B20). There are two restrooms in between classrooms 1 and 2 available for children to use. Each restroom has two toilets and 1 sink. Room 1 (EHS) also has a diaper changing table. Per Facility Representative, diapering supplies are provided by the program. This Room assists the children with potty training. Both restrooms were observed to be clean and free of hazards. Page 2 Room B19 also uses one of the restrooms. Children are supervised while using the restrooms. Availability of indoor drinking water was observed in the classrooms via water fountains in Room 1 and 2. Room B19 uses a portable water container. The facility tested for lead in drinking water on 6/29/23. There was no action level exceedance during this test. Disinfectants, cleaning solutions and medications are stored inaccessible to children in care. In each classroom, cleaning supplies are stored in locked cabinets. Medication is stored in the classroom's first aid backpack. Currently there are three children which require medication. LPAs reviewed medication and observed it in its original packaging. The HS staff log each time the medication is administered to the child. Per Facility Representative there are no poisons stored in the facility, there are no bodies of water. LPAs observed an operable carbon monoxide detector in each classroom and the facility has a centralized fire alarm system. The children's roster was observed and is current. Parents sign in on the clipboard in each classroom. The program conducts an emergency drill each month. The last documented drill was conducted on 1/24/25 (earthquake drill). This program provides breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack to the full day classrooms (Room 1 and Room B19) and for the half day classroom (Room 2) they provide breakfast in the AM session and lunch in the PM session. Meals are brought to the program from the elementary school cafeteria. Children with allergies or personal/religious preferences are provided an accommodation. Menus are posted once a month in the classroom and they are also provided to parents. The outdoor area was inspected. The outdoor area is fully enclosed. LPAs observed shaded areas for children and absorbent material under high climbing structures. Water is provided via a portable water container and cups. All materials and equipment were in good repair. The outdoor area is only used by the head start program, not by the elementary school. The classrooms alternate with each other to ensure safety. Children\342\200\231s Records were reviewed for completeness. Children's records contained all required documents and information. Staff records were reviewed. Files reviewed contained the required documents. At least one staff's pediatric first aid/cpr was approve by the EMSA and is current ( Expires 2/9/26). Facility Representative was reminded Mandated Reporter training and pediatric first aid/cpr shall be completed every two years. Page 3 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 21-21.1-CCP). LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP . This facility provides Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. LPA reviewed storage of \342\200\234medication and equipment/supplies, and reviewed children\342\200\231s, personnel, and administrative records. For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP . 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/ . 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. No citations were issued during today's inspection. A notice of site visit was given to Facility Representative and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Facility Representatives, Keokuk Legarde and Vicente AlvarezLearning Center Managers.

Citations

No citations recorded on this visit

The inspector found no violations of California child care regulations during this visit.

FAQ · About this visit

Common questions about this visit

What happened during the January 27, 2025 inspection of SIGNAL HILL HEAD START?

This was a inspection inspection of SIGNAL HILL HEAD START on January 27, 2025. The inspection found no deficiencies and no citations were issued.

Were any citations issued to SIGNAL HILL HEAD START on January 27, 2025?

No citations were issued during this inspection. The facility was found to be in compliance with all applicable regulations.

What type of inspection was this?

This was a inspection inspection. inspection inspections are conducted by CCLD as part of their licensing oversight.

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