Routine inspection·July 30, 2025

On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mayra Rivera conducted an unannounced annual inspection and met with director Melissa Edwards who guided LPA Rivera on a tour of the facility. This is a preschool program that serves children ages 2 to 5 years. This program operates Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sign in and out takes place at the main entrance area. All areas identified on the facility sketch were toured and inspected both indoors and outdoors. Teacher and child ratio were observed. LPA observed staff #1 present providing care in preschool classroom. LPA observed staff # 1 background clearance not associated to LA Petite 197409418, 197401087, and 197401088. Per staff # 1, has been working for few weeks (present more than 5 days) and was not aware of background clearance not being associated to La Petite. LPA provided LIC 9182 Criminal Background Clearance Transfer Request form. LPA was able to associate staff #1 to facility number 197401087. LPA entered classroom TK. LPA did not observe children. Per director the classroom is currently not being utilized due to low enrollment. 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 a cubby for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored inside the top cabinet with a magnetic lock making it inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPA Rivera observed a step trash bin with a lid. LPA entered classroom Two’s . LPA did not observe children. Per director the children were combined with the preschool classroom due to short staff coverage. 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 a cubby for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored inside the top cabinet with a magnetic lock making it inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPA Rivera observed a step trash bin with a lid. LPA entered classroom preschool. LPA observed 14 children present with staff #1 and staff #2 providing care and supervision. 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 a cubby for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored on top of diapering cabinet making it inaccessible for children to reach. LPA Rivera observed a step trash bin with a lid. Heating, lighting, and ventilation were evaluated by LPA Rivera. LPA observed central AC /heater and vents located on the ceiling. LPA observed the thermostat located in infant and toddler classrooms and the temperature to be at 70 degrees. Smoke detectors were not tested during this visit due to the detectors being wired to the emergency pull down fire alarm system. LPA observed the carbon monoxide detector is in the preschool classroom and entry hallway next to infant classroom. LPA Rivera tested and heard the sounds and are operable. The last emergency drill was conducted on 7/16/25 . Lead testing was conducted on 9/16/2022 and no lead exceedance. LPA observed sleeping cots to be in good condition. First aid kits supplies are kept inside the classrooms and LPA observed the kits to be fully equipped with band aids, gauzes, adhesive bandages, and antiseptic wipes. During this visit, director, stated currently has no children with medication or severe food allergies. LPA Rivera asked if there were any poisons, firearms, weapons, or bodies of water. The director stated no firearms, weapons, no poisons nor bodies of water. LPA did not observe firearms or weapons, poisons, nor bodies of water. Director stated the ill isolation area takes place in the director’s office and children utilize the staff restroom. LPA Rivera observed restroom located in the preschool classroom and LPA observed 5 toilets, and 4 handwashing sinks. LPA observed handwashing sink outside the classroom. LPA observed the restroom to be in good condition and free from hazards. LPA Rivera entered the outdoor play area. LPA Rivera observed 2 play areas for preschool license. LPA observed the playgrounds to be fenced all around and the gate that leads to the parking lot, closed, and locked with a keypad lock. LPA Rivera observed the equipment to be in a safe condition, free of sharp, no lose or pointed parts. The surface of the outdoor activity space is maintained in a safe condition and is free of hazards. LPA Rivera observed play structure equipment to be age appropriate and areas around or under climbing equipment, are cushioned with artificial turf and granulated rubber mat underneath that may absorb a fall and. For adequate shade, LPA Rivera observed 1 hip roof shade structure. For outdoor water drinking, staff bring out water. Pitchers and children sippy cups. Per director, the toddlers ages 12 months to 23 months utilize the preschool playground when the preschoolers are not utilizing the yard because the infants have no shade. LPA informed, toddlers cannot utilize the preschool yard. There is no waiver on file to share the yard with infant and preschool children. LPA explained the waiver request process. This program provides meals and snacks. Meals and snacks are prepared onsite. LPA Rivera informed 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. For water drinking, LPA Rivera observed water pitchers, bottles and sippy cups in the classrooms. 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 facility was observed to be free of flies, other insects and rodents. The following documents were posted in a prominent, publicly area front lobby: Facility License, Notification of Parents' Rights (PUB 393), Personal Rights (LIC 613A), Menu, and PUB 269 Child Passenger System Poster, and Daily Schedule. LPA Rivera informed director LIC 308 Designation of Responsibility needs to be updated and place names of lead teachers and form PUB 393 needs to be updated to reflect Palmdale Regional Office information. LPA Rivera reviewed, children’s files and staff files. LPA observed files to be incomplete. Child #1 missing LIC 995 and LIC 702. Staff #1 has no file and staff #2 missing TDAP and staff #3 missing MMR. LPA observed sign in sheet to be missing sign in signatures. LPA Rivera observed director Melissa Edwards Red Cross Pediatric First Aid/ CPR dated 10/9/24. Director was not able to provide Preventative Health and Safety with nutrition and lead component certificate during this visit. LPA observed immunization's TDAP, MMR, Influenza declination. Director has completed the mandated reporter child abuse training dated 10/14/24. Director was informed that the mandated reporter training must be completed every 2 years, and is available at www.mandatedreporterca.com The following was also discussed with director: 1. The following items are zero tolerance 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’s 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 l icensing agency upon request . 4 . LIC 125 Entrance Checklist provided, and LPA informed 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 at all times. 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’s 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. 10 . Staff Records: must be available for review; background clearance, LIC 503 Health Screening report, LIC 9108 Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse, Staff Qualifications, LIC 9050 Employee Rights, LIC 501 Personnel Record, Mandated Child Abuse Certification, MMR, TDAP, TB, influenza, or influenza declination. 11. Any unusual incidents or injuries must be reported to the Department within 24 hours via telephone and within seven (7) days in writing (refer to LIC 624). Director Melissa 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. LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. LPA Rivera discussed the safe sleep regulations with director Melissa Edwards and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-andresources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed director Melissa Edwards of the importance of checking for recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at https://www.cpsc.gov/ and recommended they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment. 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/ . Director 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 LPA reminded director when director is not present, the assigned staff listed on LIC 308 Designation of Responsibility needs to know and provide document requested by the LPA such as staff and children files, emergency logs, roster, and sign in/out and know if there's children with severe food allergies or on prescribed medication. The deficiency listed on the following page was observed by the LPA Rivera and is being cited in accordance with California Health and Safety Code. One Type A deficiency is being issued today for regulation 1596.871(c)(1)(A) and a civil penalty. Please see attached LIC 809-D for citation. Deficiencies that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children’s health & safety. A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon their return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled child for the next 12 months. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt (LIC9224) shall be in each child’s file, acknowledging receipt. The deficiency listed on the following page was observed by the LPA Rivera and is being cited in accordance with California Health and Safety Code and Title 22. Four Type B deficiencies are being issued 1596.8662(b)(1) ,1596.7995(a)(1), 101217(d) and 101220(a). Please see attached LIC 809-D for citations. 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 director Melissa Edwards.