Pre-licensing visit·June 30, 2022

On 06/30/2022 at 9:31 A.M. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Chandler made an announced visit to Excelsior Preschool of Torrance for the purpose of conducting a Pre-Licensing inspection. LPA met with Kristine Manley - center director who provided a tour of the center. The applicant is requesting a preschool program for 72 preschoolers, ages 2 thru entry into first grade. Pre-school operations will take place on the lower level of a two story building. There are three classrooms dedicated to pre-school activity; rooms 108,109 and 110.The upper level of the building houses the corporate offices (off limits), the staircase (near the emergency exit) leading to this area needs barricading, the second stair case is accessible only with electronic badges. The building also has an elevator located on the side of the reception desk, that is locked and only used for large upstairs deliveries. Children and parents shall enter the center through the play yard entry doors, unless there is a late drop of than parents must be buzzed in through front door. Operational days and hours are; Monday - Friday,7:00 A.M - 6:00 P.M.. Center has amble amount of off street parking. There is an approved fire clearance for a capacity or 72 conducted by Richard Fick of the Torrance Department of Fire Prevention unit. The following was observed of the: INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Fire extinguishers were 2AB10C or larger. Last inspection 06/3/2022 Carbon monoxide detectors were observed in each classroom First aid kit(s) were observed with the required essentials: scissors, bandages, tweezers, ointments and thermometer Age appropriate toys and equipment were observed in good repair Drinking water will be provided by filtered pitchers of water, inside and outdoors. Central heating and cooling was observed, windows were in good repair free of chipping paint, dirt, insects or debris Adequate lighting was observed Classrooms were clean, in good repair Adequate amounts of storage for children\342\200\231s belongings were observed Trash cans used for solid waste were observed with tight fitting lids Fireplaces and open face heaters were not present Locked storages rooms for disinfectants and cleaning solution and other toxins or poisons were observed. The isolation area was observed in room 110, LPA observed a separate area within the classroom, cordoned off by a small partition with cots for resting (this area is also used for staff and was not included in measurements). The adult restroom located in the corridor near room 109 shall be used for isolated children. The classrooms areas are not equipped with working telephones, the nearest working telephone is located in the reception area. Parents or authorized adults and staff will use the Bright Wheel application for communications, updates and signing children in and out for the day. Parent boards were observed in each classroom, the director was advised to have these board moved to a more prominent area for parents and visitors viewing. Required postings were observed An adequate amount of cots in good repair were observed for napping. Measurements for the indoor activity space was 2632.80 divided by 35 SQ. FT. per child = 75 preschool children, Individual classroom capacity were: Room 108 (The Green Room) located through the play ground entry door = 27 children Room 109 ( The Blue Room) adjoining class with the room 108 = 16 children Room 110 (Purple Room) located at the far east, right side of the corridor = 33 children FOOD SERVICE: Parents shall provide meals for children with an option to purchase pre-packaged meals. applicant will provide morning and afternoon snacks. Applicant shall make preparation for alternate meals for children with allergies and have enough food on hand for children to have full day meals or half day snacks. The center has a kitchen for preparing, heating and refrigeration of foods. Refrigerators were equipped with thermometers and magnetic locks will be installed on cabinets (per director and LPA physically observed the locks) Per the director a clear curtain barrier will be installed making kitchen area inaccessible to children in care (invoice of purchase was provided). LPA did not observe any contaminated foods in this area. Center has devised an Incidental Medical Service plan and provide to parents of children with allergies (epi-pen), asthmatic (inhalers), and Gastronomy (children needing G-tube feeding). The kitchen was clean, in good condition RESTROOMS THERE WERE: 5 toilets = 1 toilets per 15 children for a total of 75 children. Toilets were age appropriate minus the toilet and sink located in the corridor, these were standard in size with broad based stools to assist children in using these fixtures 5 sinks = 1 sink per 15 children for a total of 75 preschool children The restrooms were clean and sanitized with the necessary toiletries, sinks and toilets were operable and in good repair. Faucets delivered cold water. One sink in the Jack and Jill restroom between room 108 and 109, and one located in the restroom in room 110 was inoperable during todays visit. OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Age appropriate toys and equipment were observed on in the outdoor activity space in good repair. The play yard was fully gated with a 4 inch or higher gate. Children in room 108 and 109 will use the exit in room 108 to enter and exit the play yard through room 108 and per fire inspector Ficks, it is permissible for the center to use the emergency exit for children (room 110) to access the play yard Resilient cushioning was found to be in good repair under all climbing apparatus. Climbing apparatus was designed for children 2-5, per manufacturers labeling. Filtered water pitchers were available for an outdoor water source Shade sails, umbrellaed benches and trees provided shading and resting areas. Per director the sand box and outdoor equipment will be maintained by staff. No hazardous conditions were observed during todays visit. Per director, the sprinklers in the water irrigation system, will be replaced with retractable sprinklers and this area will also be used as a sensory garden. This area was included in todays measurements, LPA also measured this area without the sensory area, capacity will be based on corrections and installation of sensory materials and plants. Measurements for the out door area were: 5062.52 divided by 75 sq. ft.= 67.5 children (w/o the sensory garden area), a waiver will be required at this capacity. 6209.86 divided by 75 sq.ft. - 82 children (sensory garden included) Based on today observations the center shall be recommended for a capacity of 72 children determined by the request if the applicant. The following advisory items were discussed, licensure will be granted upon completion of corrections and or repairs applicant shall provide photos of corrections or repairs no later than July 15, 2022. magnetic locks will be installed on cabinets (per director and LPA physically observed the locks) Per the director a clear curtain barrier will be installed making kitchen area inaccessible to children in care (invoice of purchase was provided). Parent boards were observed in each classroom, the director was advised to have these board moved to a more prominent area for parents and visitors viewing. One sink in the Jack and Jill restroom between room 108 and 109, and one located in the restroom in room 110 was inoperable during today\342\200\231s visit. Per director, the sprinklers in the water irrigation system, will be replaced with retractable sprinklers and this area will also be used as a sensory garden. This area was included in todays measurements, LPA also measured this area without the sensory area, capacity will be based on corrections and installation of sensory materials and plants. LIC 500 pg. should reflect corporate staff (provided during visit) Staircase located through the emergency exit door shall be barricaded LPA advises that the interior emergency door has an alerting mechanism installed To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey will 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 tools, please send them by email 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/process . Facility representative was reminded that all adults 18 and over, including employees and volunteers, 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 up to $500.00 maximum per day/per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. LPA 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-and-resources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA 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. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the or facility representative Kristine Manley.