Pre-licensing visit·June 19, 2025

On 6/19/2025 at 10:41 A.M., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jillinda Chandler and Laticia Thompson made an announced visit to Lomita Academy located at 2332 Lomita Blvd. Lomita, CA. 90717. The 2336 address was not included in todays inspection. The purpose of todays inspection was to conduct a pre-licensing inspection. LPA met with Elizabeth Ramirez (applicant) who provided a tour of the facility. The applicant is requesting a preschool license with a capacity of 55 children, ages 2 years \342\200\223 until entry into first grade. There are 3 buildings with adjoining rooms that are dedicated to day care activities; rooms 10 and 11(parking lot entry) 7 and 8 (across from 10 and 11); room 9 (near Lomita/sand box); rooms 3-6 (near play yard); Day care operations days and hours will be Monday \342\200\223 Friday/ 7:30 A.M. \342\200\223 5:30 P.M. There is an approved fire clearance on file conducted on 6/10/2025 Tim Tritenbach of the L.A County Fire Department. The following was observed of the: INDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE Fire extinguishers were 2AB10C or larger, last serviced 8/9/2024. Carbon monoxide detectors were observed each classroom. First aid kits were available with the required essentials: scissors, bandages, tweezers, ointments, and thermometer. Age-appropriate furniture and equipment was observed in fair repair. Cots were observed for napping, applicant was informed that beddings must be removed when cots are stacked. LPA did not observe an adequate number of cubbies or backpack hooks for children\342\200\231s belongings. Drinking water will be provided through bottle water and disposable cups The facility has fans and heaters for heating and cooling. Windows were in good repair free of chipping paint, dirt, insects, or debris. Adequate lighting was observed except for rooms 10 and 11. Per applicant the lights were out due to an incident with the electric company. The classrooms were clean in fair repair. Rugs needed cleaning, applicant shall clean or replace rugs prior to licensure. 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. Children will isolate and use the restroom in their classrooms, applicant was informed that ill children shall isolate away from other children and toilets and sicks being used by ill children, shall be sanitized after every use. The facility was not equipped with working telephones, applicant states that the facility will use cell phones, the applicant was informed that there shall be a dedicated cell phone and number present at the facility at all times. It is recommended that electrical socket covers be placed over exposed sockets. 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 not posted, applicant was advised that the postings shall be posted in a prominent area for viewing and facility number shall be posted on all advertisements. Measurements for the indoor activity space were 2643.50 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 with a thermometer, foods and toxins or chemicals were stored separately, and LPA did not observe any expired or contaminated foods. Center shall devise an Incidental Medical Service (IMS) plan and 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, per applicant they will devise a plan upon enrolling any child with IMS needs. RESTROOMS 10 sinks and 9 toilets were available for children use; which will accommodate the requested capacity. LPAs observed 2 changing tables within arms reach of a sink The restrooms were clean and sanitized with the necessary toiletries, sinks and toilets were operable and in fair repair. Faucets delivered cold and hot water, during todays visit the hot water was shut off. 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. Wood chips was observed in fair condition under climbing apparatus. Cushioning in on the ocean yard was in need of repairing. Water shall be made readily available for an outdoor water source LPA observed trees and awnings for shade and benches for resting. LPA recommend that benches be place in shaded areas to prevent over heating. The outdoor areas and sand boxes need to be cleaned, free of rubbish and insects; the fruit trees shall be pruned or made inaccessible to children in care. All water hose faucets and piping shall be made inaccessible to children in care. Measurements for the combined outdoor activity area were 5568.24, which will accommodate the requested capacity. Based on today\342\200\231s inspection the facility shall be recommended for a capacity of 49 children determined by the fire departments fire clearance approval. The following corrections and recommendations are needed prior to licensure. LPA did not observe an adequate number of cubbies or backpack hook for children\342\200\231s belongings. The required postings were not posted, applicant was advised that the postings shall be posted in a prominent area for viewing. Rugs needed cleaning, applicant shall clean or replace rugs prior to licensure It is recommended that electrical socket covers be placed over exposed sockets. LPA recommend that benches be place in shaded areas to prevent over heating The outdoor areas and sand boxes need to be cleaned, free of rubbish and insects; the fruit trees shall be pruned or made inaccessible to children in care. Cushioning in on the ocean yard was in need of repairing. Adequate lighting in room 10 and 11 All water hose faucets and piping shall be made inaccessible to children in care The 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. LPAs 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 applicant shall test their water for lead within 180 days of licensure pursuant to Written Directives section 101700 (PIN 21-21.1-CCP). CCC testing deadline has not passed. This facility will wait until enrolment to device an Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS plan. LPAS reviewed storage of medication 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 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. LPAs 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. LPAs 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. 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 Elizabeth Ramirez-applicant.