Routine inspection·February 24, 2026

On February 24, 2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Crystal Ali met with Mary Gendler Preschool Director, for the purpose of an unannounced Annual/Random inspection. LPA disclosed the purpose of the inspection and was granted entry to the facility. Upon arrival, teacher and child ratios were observed. LPA observed 44 children and 10 teachers present during inspection. Facility operates in five classrooms; Monday through Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) were discussed. There are no current children with medical needs. There are no bodies of water on the premises, no smoking and no weapons. Staffing Ratio and Capacity: Facility operates in six classrooms referred to as the Red room, yellow room, purple room, orange room, blue room, and green room. Program Director states they use the blue room for after school program 2:30pm to 6:00pm. This is a preschool facility serving ages 2 years to 5-year-olds. Sign-in and out sheets were reviewed at the entrance of each classroom. Physical Plant: LPA toured and inspected the daycare classrooms (6). Furniture and equipment were checked for age appropriateness and good repair. The room is clean and safe. LPA observed all containers used for storage of solid wastes, including moveable bins, with a tight-fitting cover that is kept on; leakproof, insect-proof, and rodent-proof. LPA observed each classroom to have water filter stations. Telephone service was verified. Heating, lighting, and ventilation are adequate. There are cubbies for children’s belongings labeled with their names. Daily activities schedule was observed in classrooms. In the blue room there are two classroom pets, Breaded Dragon and a Gecko. LPA observed the pets in their cages/tanks. LPA observed crickets that the animals eats. Teachers clean the tanks weekly. Teachers feed the pets and the children assist the teachers with supervision. Kitchen: There is no kitchen. Some classrooms have a mini refrigerator and a microwave to store and warm up food. Allergy lists are posted in each classroom. There are two children have food allergies. Children bring their own packs lunches. LPA observed an appropriate amount of food and snacks and staff preparing lunch (with gloves). LPA observed that food preparation and storage areas are kept clean and free of litter and rubbish. Soaps, detergents, cleaning compounds, or similar substances are stored separately from food supplies. The chemicals located in top cabinet and/or under the sink are inaccessible to children by safety latch. No knives or sharp items observed in the classrooms. Menus are posted at least one week in advance and made available for review by the parents. The facility does participate in the Hero Eats program to provided hot meals for those children who prefer to not bring their lunches. Hero Eats delivers the food to the facility. Director states that maintenance comes every night during the week to mop each classroom and Teachers wipe down the tables and chair daily. Napping: An isolation area takes place in the main office where a child will remain until parent picks them up due to illness. The rest area identified with two small couches and relaxation items are available including books. Children have the option for rest time and quiet time if needed a mat was observed. LPA observed mats for nap time in the classrooms. Fire Extinguisher: A fire extinguisher is in the green (service last checked 2/20/26), a smoke detector, and a carbon monoxide detector are on the premises. Preschool Director states the Fire Marshal last came for inspection in early February 2026 and there were no corrections. LPA observed first aid kits and fire extinguishers at each classroom. Disaster drills are current and to complete every 6 months, last drill completed on 2/10/26 at 10:25am. Bathrooms: LPA inspected and observed three bathrooms (one bathroom between orange and purple rooms, one bathroom between blue and yellow rooms, and one off the red room. The toilets and sinks function properly and are age appropriate except for two. LPA observed the bathroom next to the red room needs maintenance to fix the plumbing. The toilets are not flushing properly. Program Director states she will submit maintenance request for the toilets to be fixed. The water temperature is appropriate. LPA observed soap, toilet paper, and paper towels readily available. LPA observed two diaper changing stations in red room bathroom area. Medication: Currently there are no children on medication. A review of medication policy indicated that prescription medication is administered only with the parent’s written permission. The Director and other administration staff will administer medication and document the dosage, date, and time on a log. Medication is locked at the in the main office (unless the parent requests daily return). Medication is kept in the main office in locked box. Medication is labeled correctly and stored in its original container. Transportation: School does not provide transportation for the preschool children. Lead Testing/Drinking Water : LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP, tested 10/8/2022. The lead water results were under 5.5 ppb, according to facility children are provided with filtered drinking water from a water dispenser and individual disposable cups are available. The Outdoor: The play equipment was inspected for health, safety, cushioning material, good repair, and age appropriateness. Children take their own thermos outside to drink water when needed. The outdoor play equipment was inspected for health, safety, cushioning material, good repair, and age appropriateness. There are two play yard areas for 2-3 years old and 4-5 years old. Play area #1 has one large play equipment with two slides, 7 playhouses, shaded area, and 2 swings that are on sand. Play area #2 has large play equipment with 4 slides, 4 swings, shaded areas, 2 playhouses, 10 tricycles, and flower garden. Staff Records/ Children Records: Staff (10) records were reviewed. Staff records are not in compliance. Five staff records are missing LIC 503. Child records (5) were reviewed and are in compliance. LPA observed LIC 9040 and LIC 500 to be current. The parent board was reviewed and has all the required forms posted. The following general information was discussed during this inspection: 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 . Criminal Record Clearance - Child Care Centers 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. Lead Testing – Child Care Centers (CCC) 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). Safe Sleep - Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes LPA/LPM discussed the safe sleep regulations with facility representative 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/LPM also informed licensee facility representative 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 22-02-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/ . MyChildCarePlan.org – Centers and Family Child Care Homes 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. Deficiencies cited: One Type B in accordance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and/or Health & Safety codes. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Mary Gendler, Preschool Director.