Incident investigation·February 24, 2022

On February 24, 2022, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Monique Ayala and Liana Stepanyan conducted a case management inspection to follow up on an Unusual Incident reported to the department by telephone on 04/26/2021; this incident was not reported timely, the incident occurred on 04/21/2021. LPA was greeted by head of school who guided LPAs on a tour of the facility. Upon arrival, there were 31 children and 15 staff present today. Description of the incident : An incident on 04/21/2021, Staff 1 (S1) was walking out of the classroom when child 1 (C1) was following the teacher out of the classroom. S1 closed the door quickly and did not see C1 fingers and the door closed on child's fingers. C1's fingers went under the door. S2 cleaned child's finger and applied ice. C1's mother was called and was advised to take child to seek medical attention. C1 was take to the doctor and did not receive stiches or glue on right pointer finger. (Staff and child names are listed on LIC859 and LIC857.) During this inspection, LPA interviewed head of school, staff, parent of C1, obtained pictures of where the incident occurred, obtained images of injury and obtained a copy of the facility roster. The information obtained during interviews conducted revealed that staff #1 was not in the area of the incident as she was outside of the classroom. S2 stated she was in the back of the classroom feeding infant 1 when the incident occurred. S2 stated that C1 was in the middle of the classroom when S1 was walking out and C1 ran faster than expected to the classroom door. S2 stated that she initially thought a sign that was posted near the door was what fell and cut C1's finger. After further investigation S2 stated that C1 was injured due to the door being closed on C1's right pointer finger. S2 stated that C1 has had a tendency to run towards the classroom doors when they are open or when S1 and S2 are leaving. When S2 heard C1 crying and screaming, S2 placed infant 1 down and attended to C1's injury. S2 stated that she saw blood and immediately applied pressure with a paper towel. Once bleeding stopped S2 brought C1 into lobby area where C1 was treated with first aid and parents were called and informed about incident. C1 was taken to the emergency room where no stiches/glue were needed. C1 remained out of school for the remainder of the week and returned the following Monday (04/26/2021). Head of school was reminded of reporting requirements for unusual incident reports that occur at the facility. A type B deficiency is being cited today in according with Title 22 Regulation, Reporting Requirements 101212(d)(1)(2). An immediate civil penalty of $500 is being assessed and $100 will accrue until the deficiency is corrected. The facility is being cited a Type A deficiency according to the California Code Title 22 Regulations, 101223(2). This citation poses an immediate health and safety risk. See LIC 809D for deficiencies. Upon receipt of a Type A deficiency licensee shall post the report for 30 days in addition to the Notice of Site Visit & provide copies of the licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility. This report must be provided to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months & licensee will obtain a signed Acknowledgement of Licensing Reports (LIC 9224) from parent/guardian & place it in each child's file. If these requirements are not met, civil penalties will be assessed. An exit interview was conducted, a copy of this report and appeal rights was provided to Head of School along with Notice of Site Visit.