Pre-licensing visit·June 14, 2023

On June 14, 2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jillinda Chandler made an announced visit to Chalk Preschool of Hermosa Beach. LPA met with Vida Wessell (executive director) and Madison Sanello (director) who provided a tour of the facility. The applicant is requesting a preschool license with a capaity of 32, ages 2 years \342\200\223 until entry into first grade. The building is a two leveled building, there are 3 classrooms dedicated to day care activity; rooms 1 (green room), 2(yellow room) and 3 (orange room). Day care operational days and hours will be Monday \342\200\223 Friday/ 8:00 A.M. \342\200\223 5:00 P.M. Parents shall enter the center through the upper parking lot, off Boundary or Sepulveda. There is an approved fire clearance on file conducted by Michael Judkins of the L.A. County Fire prevention Bureau. The following was observed of the: INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Fire extinguishers were 2AB10C or larger, last serviced 9/19/2022. Carbon monoxide detectors were observed in upper hallway and room 3 (Orange room). First aid kits were available with the required essentials: scissors, bandages, tweezers, ointments, and thermometer. Age-appropriate furniture and equipment was observed in good repair. Drinking water will be provided through filtered water dispensers. The facility has central heating and cooling. Windows were in good repair free of chipping paint, dirt, insects or debris. Adequate lighting was observed. The classrooms were clean in good repair. Trash cans used for solid waste were observed with tight fitting lids. No Fireplaces or open face heaters were observed. Disinfectants and cleaning solution and other toxins or poisons were made inaccessible to children, placed in locked cabinets. The office (with a cot)and the staff restroom will be used for isolation of ill children, the staff restroom is located on the upper floor. The facility was equipped with working telephones in each classroom. Parents and authorized adults will sign children in and out, using their original signatures. The required postings were posted, applicant was advised that the postings shall be posted in a prominent area for viewing. Per applicant the posting will be moved to the upper level of entry. LPA recommended a plan be devised to prevent immediate access to the staircase, preventing the staircase from being a falling hazard. Measurements for the indoor activity space was 1125.96 divided by 35 SQ. FT. per child = 32 children. FOOD SERVICE: Meals will be provided by parents, and snacks will be provided by the center. Weekly menus were posted for review. Children will eat outdoors and at a community table in the upper level. LPA observed a full kitchen area, the kitchen was clean refrigeration with thermostat and storage for foods were observed. Cabinets and drawers were made inaccessible to children. This area was clean, knives and sharp items were inaccessible to children. LPA did not observe any hazardous conditions. Per applicant the stove will be removed, to make this area a prepping area only Center shall devise an Incidental Medical Service (IMS) plan and provide to parents of children with allergies (epi-pen), asthmatic (inhalers), and children needing G-tube feeding. IMS was discussed with the directors. RESTROOMS THERE WERE: 2 toilets = 1 toilet per 15 children for a total of 30 children. Toilets were age appropriate. 2 sinks = 1 sink per 15 children for a total of 30 children. Sinks were age appropriate. The restrooms were clean and sanitized with the necessary toiletries, sinks and toilets were operable and in good repair. Faucets delivered cold water. LPA observed two water damaged ceiling tiles in the lower restroom, that is dedicated to children in care. Per applicant the leak was repaired, and the tile will be replaced. LPA requested work order showing completed repairs. OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Age appropriate toys and equipment were observed in good condition. The play yard was gated with a 4 inch or higher gate. Wood chips were observed for cushioning under all climbing apparatus, the wood chips were in good condition. Per applicant the chips will be exchanged for resilient cushioning. Water was readily available for an outdoor water source; children use their personal water bottles for drinking. LPA observed awnings and sail shades for shade and benches for resting. LPA advised that the area where the bikes are stored be made inaccessible to children in care, and shutters be removed from the playhouse, for supervision purposes. LPA recommends that the flagpole be cushioned or made inaccessible to children, the water hose faucet shall be made inaccessible to children. Measurements for the combined outdoor activity area were 1561.36 divided by 75 sq. ft. per child for capacity total of 20 children. Based on today\342\200\231s inspection the facility shall be recommended for a capacity of 30 children determined by the total number of sinks and toilets. The applicant is requesting a waiver of Title 22, section 101238.3(a) \342\200\223 Outdoor Activity Space to accommodate their limited outdoor activities. 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/communi ty-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. The follwing recommedations were made: The required postings were also posted, applicant was advised that the postings shall be posted in a prominent area for viewing. Per applicant the posting will be moved to the upper level of entry. LPA observed two water damaged ceiling tiles in the lower restroom, that is dedicated to children in care. Per applicant the leak was repaired, and the tile will be replaced. LPA requested work order showing completed repairs. LPA recommended a plan be devised to prevent immediate access to the staircase, preventing the staircase from be a falling hazard. LPA advised that the area where the bikes are stored be made inaccessible to children in care, for supervision incidents. LPA recommends that the flagpole be cushioned or made inaccessible to children, the water hose faucet shall be made inaccessible to children, and shutters be removed from the playhouse. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the representative Vida Wessell and Madison Sanello.