Pre-licensing visit·July 17, 2025

On 7/17/2025 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jillinda Chandler made an un-announced visit to Ecole Claire Fountain child care center for the purpose of conducting a pre-licensing (change of ownership/single license conversion) inspection. The center is located at 815 Venice Blvd. Venice, CA. 90291 on the campus of Venice Lutheran Church. Upon arrival LPA was greeted by Staff member Myra Marriquin who provided a tour of the facility, also present was staff member Sandy Angel who was supervising 2 children. Other staff and children were on a field trip. Upon their return the census was increased to 25 children being supervised by 4 staff members, 2 aides and 2 volunteers. The applicant is requesting a preschool license with a capacity of 55 children, ages 2 years \342\200\223 until entry into first grade(current capacity) and adding a school-age program with a capacity of 20 children ages 6-13 years. There is 1 classroom for school age (the first class room across from the sanctuary) and there are 3 classrooms dedicated to pre-school activity(rooms 1, 2 ,and 3, following the school age classroom). Day care operations are Monday \342\200\223 Thursday; 8:30 A.M. \342\200\223 6:00 P.M. and Fridays 8:30 - 5:00 P.M. There is a fire clearance on file approved by Inspector Sivaborvorn on 11/19/2024. The following was observed of the: INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Fire extinguishers were 2AB10C or larger, last serviced 12/5/2024. LPA observed operable detectors in pre-school rooms 2 and 3, however could not determine if they where smoke or carbon monoxide detectors . LPA did not observe a carbon monoxide or smoke detector in the school age classroom. Applicant shall provide proof of the type of detectors and/or installation of the proper detectors in rooms 2,3 , and the school age classroom. First aid kits were available with the required essentials: scissors, bandages, tweezers, ointments, manuals and a thermometer. Age-appropriate furniture and equipment was observed in good repair. Cots were observed for napping Backpack hooks were observed for children\342\200\231s belongings. Drinking water will be provided using water pitchers The facility has heating and cooling. No Fireplaces or open face heaters were observed. Windows in the preschool rooms were in good repair free of chipping paint, dirt, insects, or debris. The school age class room window need to be clean and remove chipping paint. Adequate lighting was observed. Trash cans used for solid waste were observed with tight fitting lids. Disinfectants and cleaning solutions and other toxins or poisons were made inaccessible to children in care. The director office and staff restroom is used for isolation area for ill children The facility was equipped with working telephones in each classroom. Parents and authorized adults will sign children in and out, using their original signatures. Applicant was informed sign in sheets must be readily available for a minimum of 30 days. The required postings were also posted, applicant was advised that the postings shall be posted in a prominent area for viewing. The classrooms were clean in good repair. Measurements for the indoor activity spaces were 1928.46 square feet for the preschool, and 550.33 for the school age; which will not accommodate the applicant\342\200\231s request. FOOD SERVICE: Meals will be provided by center, Weekly menus were posted for review. LPA observed a kitchen with a sink, storage for foods and a refrigerator with a thermometer, foods and toxins or chemicals were stored separately, and LPA did not observe any expired or contaminated foods. The kitchen was clean and no insects or vermin were observed. RESTROOMS THERE WERE: 6 sinks ( 4 in the rest rooms and 2 classrooms had sinks) and 6 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 must request a waiver to share the restrooms between the preschool and the school-age OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Age-appropriate toys and equipment were observed in fair condition. The play yard was gated with a 4 foot or higher gate. Resilient cushioning was observed in fair condition under climbing apparatus. LPA informed the applicant that the climbing apparatus must only be used by children 5 - 12 years of age according to the manufactures label and there needs to be a resilient cushioning mat under the climbing wall and slide that are connected to the deck area or the landing shall be returned to it original state as a sand box. The storage area on the bench yard shall be made inaccessible to children and the hop scotch area shall be free if tripping hazards Water was readily available for an outdoor water source LPA observed shading and benches for resting. LPA observed two bodies of water in the outdoor activity space; the water fountains basin was made inaccessible to children using a metal covering, the above ground pool met the covering,ladder,filtering pump, gate height and type and accessibility regulations, however at the time of observation the gate did not have a self latching entry gate. Prior to the end of the visit the gate was corrected. Per applicant the pool is put up only during the summer; July 14 - August 15 Measurements for the combined outdoor activity areas were 17430.78, which will accommodate the requested capacity. Based on today\342\200\231s inspection the facility shall be recommended for a capacity of 70 children: 55 preschoolers and 15 school age children determined by the indoor measurements. Prior to licensing the following recommendations shall be provided and approved The applicant shall request a waiver for shared outdoor space and restrooms Applicant shall provide proof of the type of detectors and/or installation of the proper detectors in rooms 2,3 , and the school age classroom. The school age class windows need to be cleaned and remove chipping paint. There needs to be a resilient cushioning mat under the climbing wall and slide that are connected to the deck area or the landing shall be returned to a sand box, The storage area on the bench yard shall be made inaccessible to children and the hop scotch area shall be free if tripping hazards An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was discussed and will be emailed to applicant Gwendoline Pere-lahaille