Pre-licensing visit·July 24, 2025

On 7/24/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jillinda Chandler made an announced visit to Pacifica Montessori Preschool, located at 6585 Green Valley Circle, Culver City, CA. 90230.The day care center is located on the premises of the Heather Village Complex. The purpose of the visit was to conduct a pre-licensing (change of ownership) inspection. LPA met with Elizabeth Vargo (applicant/director) who provided a tour of the day care center. The applicant is requesting a preschool license with a capacity of 72 children, ages 2 years \342\200\223 until entry into first grade. There were 3 classrooms dedicated to day care activity: The center's days and hours will be Monday \342\200\223 Friday; 7:30 A.M. \342\200\223 6:00 P.M. There is an approved fire clearance on file conducted on 12/16/2024 by Noah Piechowski of the Culver City Fire Department. The following was observed of the: INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Fire extinguishers were 2AB10C or larger, last serviced 2/15/2025 Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors were observed in each classroom. 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. Individual bedding was stored separately. Cubbies and backpack hooks were observed for children\342\200\231s belongings. Drinking water was provided through filtered water pitchers. 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 center has cameras on the outdoor activity yard, footage is retained for 30 days. Applicant was informed that footage must be readily available for viewing at the request of any department representative. LPA recommends there be a plan devised to provide privacy from the public and other individuals within the complex. Trash cans used for solid waste were not observed with tight fitting lids. No Fireplaces or open face heaters were observed. Disinfectants and cleaning solutions and other toxins or poisons were made inaccessible to children in care. Ill children are isolated inside the classroom or in the directors office. Applicant was advised that toilets used by ill children shall be cleaned and sanitized after every use, and the directors office shall have a cot for ill children to rest. The facility was equipped with working telephones in each classroom. Parents and authorized adults will sign children in and out, using their original signatures. Sign in sheets shall be maintained 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. Licensees shall reveal each child care center license number in all advertisements in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 1596.86 The classrooms were clean in good repair. Measurements for the indoor activity space were 2536.72 square feet, which will accommodate the applicant\342\200\231s request. FOOD SERVICE: Meals will be provided by parents, and snacks will be provided by the center. Weekly menus were posted for review. LPA observed a kitchen, with a sink, storage for foods and a refrigerator requiring a thermometer, foods and toxins or chemicals were stored separately, and LPA did not observe any expired or contaminated foods. Center shall 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: 10 sinks and 6 toilets available for children use, which will accommodate the applicants requested capacity 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 Age-appropriate toys and equipment were observed in fair condition. The play yard was enclosed with a 4 foot or higher gate. Resilient cushioning (wood chips) was observed in fair condition under climbing apparatus. LPA observed an exposed water faucet on the play yard near the sandbox, the water hose faucet must be made inaccessible to children in care, as this poses a safety hazard Water was readily available for an outdoor water source; children use pitcher water and disposable cups for drinking. LPA observed sail shades for shade, and benches for resting. LPA informed applicant that storage bins used for toys or equipment shall be locked when not in use and the metal slide be tested for heat exposure prior to children having access to the slide LPA observed a pool and a wading pool on the premises of the complex where the center is located. LPA obseved the following: the gate was at least 5 feet tall, opened outward, self latched, per the applicant tenants need a fob to gain entry into the pool area, there was a 17 inch life ring, a life pole with a 12 foot handle and the school was approximately 115 feet away from the pool area. Applicant shall device a plan to alert staff when the centers entry gates are opened No hazardous conditions or equipment was observed during today\342\200\231s visit. Measurements for the outdoor activity area were 4728.78 which will not accommodate the requested capacity. The applicant shall request a waiver of Title 22, section 101238.2(a) to accommodate their requested indoor space Based on today\342\200\231s inspection the facility shall be recommended for a capacity of 72 children determined by the indoor measurements and pending approval on their request for an outdoor waiver. The following recommendation and correction shall be made prior to licensing the center: LPA recommends there be a plan devised to provide privacy from the public and other individuals in the complex. Trash cans used for solid waste were not observed with tight fitting lids. applicant was advised that the postings must be posted in a prominent area for viewing. Licensees shall reveal each child care center license number in all advertisements in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 1596.86 the water hose faucet must be made inaccessible to children in care, as this poses a safety concern The applicant shall request a waiver of Title 22, section 101238.2(a) to accommodate their requested indoor space Applicant will request a waiver for continuous use of the previous owners Lead Testing Results until expiration. Applicant shall device a plan to alert staff when the centers entry gates are opened 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). LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP . PIN 22-05-CCP Page Four 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 licensee 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. 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/ . applicant 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. 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 Vargo