Follow-up on corrections·March 4, 2025

On 3/4/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Loyce Phillips, conducted a case management inspection to follow up on an Unusual Incident reported to the department by telephone on 9/6/2024 at approximately 2:00pm, but the incident occurred on 9/5/2024 , approximately 10:00am. The Unusual Incident was not reported in a timely manner (deficiency cited 809-D).The LPA met with Director, Telma Rojas, toured the facility and took a census of the children in care. LPA observed 84 children in care with 22 staff members. The Unusual Incident took place under old facility number (197493709) before the facility converted to the single license (197495378). Description of the incident : On 9/5/2024 during outside playtime, the children were on the playground. During transitional time from outside to inside, staff directed all the children to clean up. Staff 1 (S1) noticed Child 1 (C1) and Child 2 (C2) under the play structure. C1 and C2 had their pants down. C1 was laying down on the ground and C2 was sitting on top of C1 buttocks area. S1 immediately told both children to come out of the area and redirected both children to join their classmates. Both parents were notified about the incident. During the case management inspection conducted on 9/13/2024, LPA toured the facility, inspected, and took photos of the play structure area. LPA also interviewed staff, documented observations, and obtained pertinent documents related to this unusual incident. LPA interviewed 5 staff members who admitted the incident occurred on the playground near the play structure. S1 stated she was walking around and directing the children to clean-up when she observed both children on the ground with their pants down and they got up quickly and ran off. S1 also stated there were 3 staff members present outside with a group of 12 to 13 children. 809-C S2 stated she walked around the play structure and observed C1 and C2 playing together moments before the incident occurred. S2 explained the play structure does have a few blind spots and children like to hide underneath while playing. S2 also stated she was passing out water during the time the children were observed on the ground. S3 stated she only heard about the incident and reported the information to the Director. S3 informed LPA she was not outdoors during the incident. S4 stated it does not take very long to gathered the children during clean up time, but however children move fast. S4 demonstrated to LPA how long it usually takes to gathered all the children. LPA timed S4 at 9 seconds. LPA asked S4 where the incident happened and S4 walked LPA over to the area by the structure, that was slightly underneath the apparatus. S5 stated she was only told about the incident, but did not witness what happen. S5 stated she heard the incident happen directly underneath the play structure. LPA was told by 3 different staff members and showed 3 different areas where the incident took place. LPA was also told 3 staff members were present outdoors during the incident, however there were only 2 staff members on the playground with the children. On 9/13/2024, LPA observed 1 child on the back side of the play structure closer to the fruit trees for 6 minutes without visual supervision, there were 3 staff members present outdoors doing exercises with children at this time. LPA made Director aware of her observations at that moment. Based on the interviews conducted, statements obtained from staff members and LPA’s observations, staff failed to provide visual observation and supervision to children in care while on the playground, which led to inappropriate interactions between C1 and C2. See LIC 809D. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations and Health and Safety Code, Deficiencies are cited. 809-C LPA, Loyce Phillips informed Director Telma Rojas, that this report dated 3/4/2025 document(s) 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there are immediate risks to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA, Loyce Phillips informed the Director to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 3/4/2025 that documents any Type A citations to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification. The notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will results in a civil penalty of 100.00. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report and appeals rights was provided to Director, Telma Rojas.