Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On 4/23/25 at 08:55 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jeanine Lipsey, and Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Emiko Bell conducted an unannounced 3 year Required inspection. LPA/LPM met with Teacher Lorena (Sanchez) Lemus and provided her with an Entrance checklist. At 9:15 am, a tour of the Center began. The Facility is currently licensed for a capacity of 24 children. Eight children and two staff were present at the start of the visit. All eight children were signed in. As it was stated that the teachers sign the children in and out, they were informed that the parents are required to sign the children in and out with their full signatures. As children began getting picked up, the staff began enforcing this.
The hours of operation are from 7:00 am to 6 pm. All children were under supervision, including visual supervision, of a teacher at all times. Capacity, as specified on the license, is being maintained. The facility is a single-story house turned into a center. The center has a kitchen, office, children’s restroom, staff restroom, napping room, classroom and playroom. A hallway separates the classroom from the napping room. There was no swimming pool or other bodies of water on the premises. There were no firearms or other weapons stored on the premises. Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, and other hazardous items were rendered inaccessible through the use of childproof latches.
When a walk through of the classroom was conducted, the classroom was observed to be cluttered with the children’s art work, children’s paint supplies and Crayolas on the floor. The center was free from any potential hazards. Furniture was found to be in good repair and age appropriate. There are 2 stand alone heaters in the classroom, 1 stand alone heater in the napping room and 1 wall air conditioning unit in the classroom, lighting, and ventilation. The isolation area for sick students is in the office; there is a couch on which a child could lay and the staff bathroom is directly across the hallway.
Page 1
Facility is equipped with two toilets and two sinks in the children's bathroom, which is located near the classroom. Toilets flush properly and toilets and sinks are reachable by the children in care. There are two step stools for children who cannot reach the sink. There is one potty training seat for children who are potty training. The bathroom has adequate toilet paper and paper towels available. The hot water is turned off. The bathroom was found to be clean. There
is adequate lighting and a window for ventilation in the bathroom area. There is a changing table in the classroom used for the children that still wear diapers. The changing pad is covered with a cloth. The teachers was advised the pad should not be covered and be able to be wiped and cleaned after each use.
Furniture and equipment are in good condition, free of sharp, loose, or pointed parts. Floors in the facility are clean and safe. The classroom is equipped with a working telephone. Lunch and AM and PM snacks are prepared/provided by the center, but parents are able to provide their own lunch and snack, if they so choose. Menus are posted. There is a full-service kitchen on site. The kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, stove, sink and toaster oven, washer & dryer. The kitchen has cold and hot running water. LPA observed locks on the cabinets rendering detergents, toxins, knives and lighters inaccessible to children. Water dispensers were observed for dispensing water in the class room and water bottles were observed for outdoors. Trash cans used for solid or soiled waste were observed to not have tight fitting lids.
The outdoor area is fully enclosed. Playground equipment is in safe condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. Age appropriate toys and equipment were observed. No hazardous conditions or equipment was observed during today’s visit. Green grass was observed in the play yard for cushioning. Shading and child size tables and chairs were observed. Teachers were reminded that children are to be visually supervised at all times and no child should ever be left alone. The facility is equipped with working smoke detectors and a Carbon Monoxide detector. LPA observed a fire extinguisher, size 4:80:B-C located in the classroom with the service date of 7/31/24. First Aid Kit was observed to be complete. Fire Drill log was observed to be complete and current.
The facility has sufficient cots for napping. Each cot is occupied by only one child at time. Bedding is taken home on Fridays by parent to be washed. A sample of children’s files were reviewed and were found to be complete. A sample of staff files were reviewed and were found to be complete. Pediatric First Aid/CPR was completed online and by an instructor who is not EMSA approved. Mandated Reporter Training certificates (completed on 1/18/24) were observed to be current. The name of the childcare center director or fully qualified teacher designated to act in the director’s absence has not been reported to the Department.
Page 2
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
. The Teacher 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 childcare 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). The Analyst verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in
PIN 21-21.1-CCP
.
LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Director and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/safe-sleep
as an additional resource. LPA also informed Teacher Lorena (Sanchez) Lemus 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.
The center does not provide Incidental Medical Services. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see
PIN 22-02-CCP
. 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/
.
page 3
Teacher Lorena (Sanchez) Lemus was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; a consumer education website that helps families obtain childcare by connecting them to childcare providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California.
The following deficiencies as listed on the attached LIC809D pages are being cited in accordance with Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. Deficiencies that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children's health & safety.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Teacher Lorena (Sanchez) Lemus. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Page 4
