Incident investigation·December 6, 2023

On December 6th at 2:30pm Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Andrew met with Director Jacqueline to conduct an unannounced case management inspection. The purpose of the case management was to follow up on a self-reported unusual incident report (UIR) submitted to the Department on November 30th, 2023. The unusual incident report was regarding a supervision incident involving Child #1. Upon arrival, there were 37 children and 5 staff present at the facility. The incident report indicated that Staff #1 was lining up the children outside to return to the classroom. Staff #1 did rollcall (name to face) and thought Child #1 went home, and marked the child absent on the rollcall sheet. Staff #1 proceeded to leave the outside playground area with the children accounted for and guide them back to the classroom. About a minute later Child #1 runs from the outside playground area back to the classroom. Child #1 was left unsupervised outside for 1 minute. During this inspection, interviews were conducted with staff and children. In addition, LPA reviewed staff and children files including the facility video surveillance camera. In the video evidence it was observed that Staff #1 did bring the children back into the classroom. A few moments later Child #1 is seen observed to be outside unsupervised running from the play yard area back to the facility. Based on interviews and records, it was determined that C1 was left unsupervised in the outside play yard area of the facility for approximately one minute. The incident occurred while Staff #1 was transitioning the other children from the outdoor play area to the classroom. A total of 36 children and 5 staff members were present when the incident occurred. After approximately one minute, Child #1 runs from the play yard to the classroom where another staff member (Staff #3) returned child to the classroom. Although the Administration took appropriate action to address staff 1's conduct, the care and supervision violation did occur. A deficiency is being cited based on interviews and record review, in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 22, see LIC 809D. An exit interview was conducted, where the plan of correction was reviewed and developed with Director Jacqueline. A copy of this report and appeal rights were discussed with the Director