Routine inspection·December 9, 2025

On 12/9/25 \302\240at 8:50AM Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Angela Luz and Brittany Lovest, met with facility representative Early Education Principal Raquel Sheppard and conducted an unannounced Annual/Random inspection.\302\240 Also present were 6 teachers and 7 assistants supervising 81 preschool aged children. The facility is within capacity and ratio compliance today. LPA provided facility representative the Entrance Checklist (LIC 125) and the facility was toured indoors and outdoors for a Health and Safety Inspection. Days and hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 5:30pm.\302\240 The facility is part of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Parts of the facility are undergoing construction. The roof, windows, and A/C units are in the process of being replaced. The staff bathroom in the entryway is in the process of being ADA accessible. The playgrounds are being redone as part of the Nature Explore grant. There are two playgrounds at the facility. The preschool playground is currently under construction and is not being utilized by children at this time. The school age playground has completed construction. Classrooms take turns using the school age playground and LPAs obtained a schedule for playground usage. The construction began in December 2024 and is expected to finish June 2026. The school age playground is fully fenced and has shade available. All equipment and surfaces are free from hazards. LPAs observed age-appropriate outdoor toys and materials for the children. The large play structure is securely installed into the ground and the ground surrounding the play structures is sufficiently padded with resilient material that is in good condition for safety. Drinking water is provided via water fountains when children are outside. There are no bodies of water. Per Principal, there are no firearms or other weapons on the premises. All classrooms were inspected for age-appropriate furnishings, equipment, and adequate storage for children\342\200\231s belongings. LPA observed furniture and equipment are in good condition and free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. LPA observed sufficient toys and play materials in good condition. Staff area trained to use Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to manage challenging behaviors. Techniques used include talking with the child, offering the child pictures to express themselves, and partnering with families to come up with a plan of action. LPA inspected the napping equipment and observed them to be stored in a healthful manner. Bedding is provided by the facility and is washed weekly by a laundry service. Bedding is stored in plastic bags when not in use to prevent contamination. Facility has separate staff and child designated bathrooms. Children's toilets and faucets are in safe and sanitary operating condition. The children can reach their designated sinks, toilets, and supplies. LPA observed floors and surfaces were free of debris, the presence of a fully functional carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector/fire alarms, and a fully charged fire extinguisher that is accessible throughout the facility. All cleaning solutions/poisons are inaccessible to children in care. The janitorial closet contains cleaning supplies and is kept locked. The center is equipped with fully stocked first-aid kits that are available in the classrooms. The isolation area for when a child is sick is the office. The facility provides breakfast, lunch, and PM snack. Food is delivered to the facility from the Hawaiian Avenue Elementary School. All center provided food items are properly labeled & stored separately from cleaning supplies. Food preparation area is free of debris, hazardous materials, and vermin, and is adequately equipped. Menus are posted at least one week in advance, dated and available for review. Drinking water is accessible by children in the classrooms via water fountains. Criminal record clearance was not reviewed. However, per condition of employment with LAUSD, all individuals present have obtained a criminal record clearance or criminal record exemption. LPA reviewed the facility roster & personnel report and copies were obtained. At least one opening/closing staff member has a current Pediatric CPR/First-Aid Certification. LPA observed all required postings in a publicly accessible area. LPA reviewed the sign in/out sheets and noted they were in compliance. Fire/disaster drills are recorded and performed monthly, last drill was on 12/8/25. LPA reviewed 10 random children records and 7 personnel records during today's inspection. All children\342\200\231s records reviewed today were complete. Personnel files were incomplete. Principal stated personnel files are kept with LAUSD Human Resources. LPAs reminded Principal of the requirement that all personnel records shall be maintained at the child care center and shall be available to the licensing agency for review. 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 as specified in Health and Safety Code section 1597.16 . 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 (Interim Licensing Standards) outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP . LPA referred facility representative to the Department website for lead: Lead Toxicity Prevention and Water Testing Information ( https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/water-testing-information ) CCC COMPLETED TESTING AND NO LEAD EXCEEDANCES Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP . When any IMS is provided, a Plan for Providing 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)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, 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 www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/inspection-process . No deficiencies are issued today. 1 advisory note is issued. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Facility representative Principal Raquel Sheppard.