Follow-up·February 24, 2025

On 2/24/2025 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jillinda Chandler made an announced visit to the Montessori Academy of Culver City, located at 5881 Green Valley Circle, Culver City, CA. 90230. The purpose of todays visit was to inspect the center of Title 22 and Health and Safety compliance due to the center's request for a temporary increase in capacity per Executive Order N-2-25 (EO N 2-25). EO N-2-25 allows a waiver of capacity required statues and regulations to accommodate families that are displaced due to the California wild fires. The center has a current capacity of 99 preschool children ages 2 - until entry into first grade, and wishes to temporarily increase their capacity to 109 preschool children. There is an approved temporary fire clearance on file, the fire inspection was conducted on 2/17/2025, by inspector Piechowski of the Culver City Fire Department. LPA met with Gabriela Ponce the center's administrator. A tour of the center was provided, the center was inspected for Title 22 and Health and Safety compliance and the following was observed; LPA observed 85 children under direct supervision of 16 staff members. The center has provided a staff roster with a surplus of staff to meet the required staff to child ratios. The center was clean, age appropriate equipment and furniture was observed in good repair. An adequate amount of mats and cots were observed for napping. Restrooms were clean and sanitized, with the necessary toiletries. Fire alarm system and carbon monoxide detectors were observe throughout the center. The center has a mass evacuation plan for each classroom and first aid kits with the required essentials. Center has an Incidental Medical Plan, LPA advised that the required medicines should be readily available in close proximity of the child, referring to when a child is on the play yard. The outdoor activity space was enclosed with a 4 foot or higher gate, there were no bodies of water observed during todays inspection. LPA gave several advisories regarding the outdoor activity area; the cushioning was in need of repair there were a several holes in the cushioning and there was a large un-leveled section around the south edge that posed an tripping hazard, and the poles supporting the covering of the climbing equipment needed to be padded. LPA is requesting the climbing structure's specifics, based on measurements the climbing structure has a six foot drop zone on the larger slide and the ladder and platform leading to the overhead swing bars were not age appropriate, the swing bars are approximately 6 feet 10 inches from the cushioning. Also LPA observed an emergency exit gate that leads to the front of the school with access to the main street - Green Valley Circle, LPA advised that an alerting devise be added to the gate. There were several planter boxes located outside of the enclosed outdoor activity area in the parking lot, per Ms. Ponce the children are allowed to access the garden boxes for gardening purposes, LPA advised there be a plan and a requested waiver for this event, as it is not in compliance with Title 22, section 101238(g). Meals and snacks are provided by parents, or ordered by parent through an outsourced vendor used by the center. LPA observed a staff coffee/ utility room that was accessible to children in care during todays inspection, LPA advised that a plan be devised to ensure this area is inaccessible to children in care. LPA observed an adequate amount of emergency food provisions located in this area, No contaminated or spoiled foods were observed in this area. The facility has conducted the required lead testing and results were provided during todays inspection. The conditions of the waiver were discussed including but not limited to teacher / child ratios, proper care and supervision, the representative was reminded that the waiver will be reviewed and if granted, except in instances in which the waiver applies, licensee shall be in compliance with Title 22 Regulations and Health and Safety codes at all times. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was discussed with representative Gabriela Ponce. A Notice Of Site Visit was provided and must be posted for 30 days.