Pre-licensing visit·April 22, 2025

On 4/22/2025 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jillinda Chandler made an announced visit to Palos Verdes Montessori Academy located at 28451 Indian Peak Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. 90274. The purpose of todays visit was to conduct a pre-licensing, single license conversion inspection. LPA met with licensee Harshini Gunasekara, and director Nimmi Weerasingle. The licensee wishes to add a toddler component to an existing preschool and infant center. Present during todays inspection were 81 children, being supervised by 14 staff members. This is an application for a single license conversion for a total capacity of 122; 24 infants ages 0 \342\200\223 24 months, 24 Toddlers 18 \342\200\223 36 months and 74 preschoolers, ages 2 years until entry into first grade. The child care center operates; Monday \342\200\223 Friday 6:30 a.m. \342\200\223 6:30 p.m. The building has two stories, the second floor is off limits, this area includes the kitchen, staff lounge, office, storage and the staff restroom. Licensee shall make the staircase leading to this area inaccessible to children in care. The facility has a total of 6 classrooms; Preschool classrooms are # 1 (stem - circled classroom at the entrance); #2 (upper level from the stem with fire place), and #3 and # 4 (on the left side of the corridor); classroom #5 (at the rear on the right side of the corridor) will be dedicated to the toddlers and classroom # 6 (first classroom on the right of the corridor with two sections and napping area) will be dedicated to the infants. There is an approved fire clearance on file conducted on 12/11/2024 by Inspector Judkins of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The following was observed INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Fire extinguishers were 2AB10C or larger, last serviced 5/3/2024. Fire Drill last conducted 2/24/2025. Applicant was informed that there shall be a Disaster and Mass Casualty Plan readily available for review per Title 22, section 101174 at the center. Carbon monoxide detectors were observed in each classroom. First aid kits were available with the required essentials: scissors, bandages, tweezers, ointments, manuals and thermometers. Age-appropriate furniture and equipment was observed in good repair. LPA observed a combination of toys that provided and encouraged: Auditory stimulation, Visual stimulation, Tactile stimulation and Manipulative skills in the infant classroom. C ots were observed for napping in good repair, LPA observed 11 cribs and 11 crib napping infants in the infant napping area located in the lower level of the infant room. Applicant was informed per Title 22, Chapter 1, Sub Chapter 2, Section 101439 (g), Cribs, mats or cots shall be arranged so as to provide a walkway and work space between the cribs, mats or cots sufficient to permit staff to reach each infant without having to step over or reach over any other infant. Licensee shall arrange cribs to meet the above requirement. LPA recommends three cribs to be removed and cribs be arranged accordingly. Licensee was advised there can only be eight crib napping children enrolled until an alternate solution is provided. Cubbies and backpack hooks were observed for children\342\200\231s belongings and infant diapering supplies. Drinking water will be provided through filtered water dispensers. Children uses their personal drinking canisters when drinking water. 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. The director's office and staff restroom on the second floor will be used for isolation of ill children. Licensee shall ensure there will be a mat and a crib or portable crib are readily available for the isolation area The facility was equipped with a working telephone. Parents and authorized adults will sign children in and out, using their original signatures. Parents sign children in, in the outdoors court yard and enter the facility from the entrance. The required postings were also posted. Applicant shall post new license number on all advertisements and signage. Measurements for the indoor activity space was 4641.52 square feet, which will accommodate the applicant\342\200\231s request. FOOD SERVICE: Meals and snacks for the preschool and toddler children are provided by the center, parents provide infant meals. Weekly menus were posted for review. LPA observed a kitchen with a sink, storage for foods and refrigerator, refrigerators were observed in the infant and toddler classrooms, foods were labeled and stored properly. Foods and toxins or chemicals were stored separately, and LPA did not observe any expired or contaminated foods. This area was clean, free of insects or vermin. Center has devised an Incidental Medical Service (IMS) plan to provide to parents of children with allergies (epi-pen), asthmatic (inhalers) glucose monitoring (diabetics), and children needing G-tube feeding. IMS was discussed with the licensee. Trash cans used for solid waste were observed with tight fitting lids. The fireplace in room #2 was made inaccessible to children in care. RESTROOMS Two Changing tables within arms reach of a sink were observed, licensee shall arrange for a third changing table located in the lower infant room be within arms reach of a sink, per licensee a portable sink will be provided. Until the sink is provided staff shall use the changing table in the first section of the infant room. There were 10 sinks and 6 toilets available for children use, which will not accommodate the requested capacity. LPA recommended licensee to use potty chairs in the toddler room to meet this requirement. Per Title 22, section 101439(i)(1)(2) There shall be a minimum of one hand washing sink to every 15 infants and one potty chair to every five infants being toilet trained. (1) If sufficient potty chairs are not available for the number of infants being toilet trained, a combination of potty chairs and toilets with training seats may be used to meet the ratio specified in (i) above. (2) Infants shall not be permitted to play with potty chairs. The restrooms were clean and sanitized with the necessary toiletries, sinks and toilets were operable and in good repair. Faucets delivered cold water. OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE The center has separate areas for each component, the infant and preschool will require a waiver to meet Title 22, section 101238.2 (a); There shall be at least 75 square feet per child of outdoor activity space based on the total licensed capacity. The outdoor play yards were gated with a 4 foot or higher gate. Age-appropriate toys and equipment were observed in fair condition. Licensee shall provide specification for the toddler's climbing equipment. Artificial grass in good repair was observed under climbing structures Water was readily available for an outdoor water source; children use their personal water bottles for drinking. LPA observed shade and benches for resting on the preschool and infant yards. Licensee shall provide benches and shading for the toddler yard Measurements for the outdoor activity areas were 1491.65 for the infants for a total of 19. 1575.34 for the toddler yard for a total of 21 and 5375.64 for a total of 71 for preschool, which will not accommodate the requested capacity. Based on today\342\200\231s inspection the facility shall be recommended for a maximum capacity of 110: 21 infants, 15 toddlers and 74 preschool children determined by the indoor measurements, following the recommended corrections, waiver approval and required documents: \302\267 Licensee shall make the staircase leading to the upstairs area inaccessible to children in care. \302\267 Applicant shall arrange cribs to meet the above requirement. LPA recommends three cribs to be removed and cribs be arranged accordingly. \302\267 Licensee shall ensure there will be a mat and a crib or portable crib are readily available for the isolation area \302\267 licensee shall arrange for a third changing table located in the lower infant room be within arms reach of a sink, per licensee a portable sink will be provided \302\267 each component will require a waiver to meet Title 22, section 101238.2 (a); There shall be at least 75 square feet per child of outdoor activity space based on the total licensed capacity. \302\267 Licensee shall provide specification for the toddler's climbing equipment. \302\267 Licensee shall provide benches and shading for the toddler yard LPA advised applicant of the following regarding the Toddler Program: 101216.4(a)(1) Preschool Program with Toddler Component A child who is between 18 months and 36 months of age may participate in the toddler program with written permission from the child's authorized representative. No child in the toddler program shall be placed in the preschool program before the age of 36 months without written permission from the child's authorized representative. Refer to Title 22 Sub-chapter 2 for infant and toddler care. he following items were discussed: The licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, 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 reviewed with licensee the LIC 311A, Records To be Maintained At The Facility, for child\342\200\231s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted. To receive important licensed-related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. 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 child care 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). This facility provides Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. LPA reviewed storage of \342\200\234medication and equipment/supplies. he following items were discussed: The director and applicant was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, 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 reviewed with facility representative the LIC 311A, Records To be Maintained At The Facility, for child\342\200\231s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted. To receive important licensed-related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. 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 child care 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). This facility provides Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. LPA reviewed storage of \342\200\234medication and equipment/supplies. For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP . 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/ . The licensee 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. LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee 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 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. Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platforms. To receive important licensed related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was discussed and provided to Harshini Gunasekara -licensee A Notice of Site Visit was provided and must post for 30 days.