Pre-licensing visit·November 6, 2025

On 11/06/2025 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jillinda Chandler and Deloris Whitmore made an announced visit to Lomita Academy preschool for the purpose of conducting a pre-licensing inspection for 2332 Lomita Blvd., Lomita, CA. 90717. The center has two separate addresses 2332 and 2336 with separate facility numbers; 197495512 and 197495565, both locations will be dedicated to preschool activities. The applicant is requesting a preschool license at the 2332 address with a capacity of 55 children, ages 2 years \342\200\223 until entry into first grade. LPA met with Elizabeth Ramirez (applicant) who provided a tour of the center. Day care will be conducted Monday \342\200\223 Friday/ 7:30 A.M. \342\200\223 5:30 P.M. There is an approved fire clearance conducted on 8/27/2025 by Timothy Tritenbach of the L.A. County Fire Department. The following was observed of the: INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Fire extinguishers were 2AB10C or larger. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors were observed in operable condition. First aid kits were available with the required essentials: scissors, bandages, tweezers, ointments, manuals and thermometer. Age-appropriate furniture and equipment was observed in good repair. Cots were observed for napping; applicant was informed that beddings must be removed and stored separately when cots are stacked. Cubbies were observed for children\342\200\231s belongings. Drinking water will be provided through filtered water canisters. The facility has heating and cooling units. No Fireplaces or open face heaters were observed. Windows were in good repair free of chipping paint, dirt, insects, or debris. Adequate lighting was observed. The classrooms were clean in good repair. Applicant was informed that the carpets shall be made to prevent tripping hazards. LPA observed trash cans used for solid waste with tight fitting lids. Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, toxins or other poisons were observed inaccessible to children in care. The director\342\200\231s office will be used for isolation of ill children. The facility was equipped with a working telephone. Parents and authorized adults will sign children in and out, using their original signatures. The applicant was informed that sign-in sheets must be maintained for a minimum of 30 days and readily available for review at the request of the department or its representative. Cameras were observed in the parking lot only. The required postings were also posted; applicant was advised that the postings shall be posted in a prominent area for viewing, applicant was advised that parent boards where parents and authorized representatives sign in shall be updated with required postings. LPA provided the LIC. 311A. FOOD SERVICE: Meals will be provided by parents. Applicant was informed there shall be an adequate supply of emergency foods readily available in the case of unforeseen circumstances. LPA observed a kitchen, with a stove, sink, storage for foods and a refrigerator with a thermometer, foods, toxins or other chemicals were stored separately, and LPA did not observe any expired or contaminated foods. Kitchen and storage areas were clean, free of litter and rubbish; and the area was free of rodents and other 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 applicant. RESTROOMS THERE WERE: 4 sinks and 3 toilets available for children use; The restrooms were clean and sanitized with the necessary toiletries, sinks and toilets were operable and in good repair. Faucets delivered cold water. Applicant shall provide broad based equipment to assist children when using standard size toilets and sinks. OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Age-appropriate toys and equipment were observed in fair condition. The outdoor activity space was gated with a 4 foot or higher gate. Applicant shall devise a plan to make the exit gate inaccessible to children during outdoors time, add cushioning on ball court pole, applicant was advised to add gates to exit doors in classrooms to prevent children from accessing the outdoors area without supervision, make area in between room 1 and the directors office inaccessible to children in care, add resilient cushioning under the rocket equipment, make rodent trap inaccessible to children in care, repair wooden pole outside of the restroom, level pavement in front of the barnyard and fill minor cracks in the asphalt pavement. Water canisters were readily available for an outdoor water source. LPA observed shading and benches for resting. LPA did not observe any bodies of water during today\342\200\231s inspection. Director was informed that all standing water should be removed immediately after each use. Measurements for the indoor activity space were 1088.48 square feet, which will not accommodate the applicant\342\200\231s request. Measurements for the outdoor activity area were 5563.41, which will accommodate the requested capacity. Based on today\342\200\231s inspection, the facility shall be recommended for a capacity of 31 children determined by the measurements of the indoor activity space. Also discussed today were the following: 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 . Applicant 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. 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). \342\200\242 CCC TESTING DEADLINE HAS NOT PAST LPA referred applicant to the Department website for lead: Lead Toxicity Prevention and Water Testing Information . LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with applicant 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 applicant 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/ . PIN 22-05-CCP Page Five Applicant was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; a consumer education website that helps families obtain childcare by connecting them to childcare providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the applicant Elizabeth Ramirez