Routine inspection·October 11, 2023

On Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 10:00 am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Evelyn Garcia and Mayra Rivera conducted an unannounced annual inspection and met with Director, Carmen Cerda who guided LPAs Garcia and Rivera on a tour of the facility. This is a preschool program that serves children ages 2 to 6 years. This program operates Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sign in and out takes place at the main entrance area. All areas identified on the facility sketch were toured and inspected both indoors and outdoors. Teacher and child ratio were observed, and present staff are fingerprinted cleared with the exception of Staff #4 who was not cleared and was observed to leave the premises by LPA Garcia and Rivera. Staff #4 was instructed to return once she was cleared and associated to the facility. At approximately 10:05 am. LPA entered Owls Classroom. LPA Garcia and Rivera observed 11 children reading at the table and staff #1 present supervising the children. LPA observed age-appropriate furniture and equipment to be in good condition, free of sharp, not loose, or pointed parts and age-appropriate toys accessible to children. LPA observed cubbies for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored inside high cabinet that is inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPAs observed a step trash bin with a tight lid. At approximately 10:15 am. LPA entered the Hungry Caterpillars room. LPAs observed 12 children playing table games and staff #2 and staff #3 present supervising the children. LPA observed age-appropriate furniture and equipment to be in good condition, free of sharp, not loose, or pointed parts and age-appropriate toys accessible to children. LPA observed cubbies for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored inside high top cabinet making it inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPA Rivera observed a step trash bin with a tight lid. LPA Rivera informed director, Carmen that the changing table needs to be in arms distance of a hand washing sink. At approximately 10:20 pm. LPA entered The Busy Bees classroom . The children and staff were not present in the classroom. LPA observed age-appropriate furniture and equipment to be in good condition, free of sharp, not loose, or pointed parts and age-appropriate toys accessible to children. LPA observed cubbies for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored in a high top cabinet inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPA Rivera observed a step trash bin with a tight lid. At approximately 10:30 am. LPAs entered Grass Hoppers classroom . The children and staff were not present in the classroom. LPA observed age-appropriate furniture and equipment to be in good condition, free of sharp, not loose, or pointed parts and age-appropriate toys accessible to children. LPA observed a cubbies for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored inside the high top cabinet inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPA Rivera observed a step trash bin with a lid. Heating, lighting and ventilation were evaluated by LPA Garcia and Rivera. LPA observed central AC/heater and vents located on the ceiling. LPA observed the thermostats located in Busy bees classroom and temperature to be 67 degrees. LPA observed the fire extinguishers located in classrooms and hallways and the valve on the required 2A10BC fire extinguishers indicating fully charged and serviced on 12/5/2022. Smoke detectors were not tested during this visit due to the detectors being wired to the emergency pull down fire alarm system. Carbon monoxide detectors in Hungry Caterpillars classroom, LPA Rivera tested and was operable. The last emergency drill was conducted on 9/6/2023. LPA observed napping equipment (mats) to be in good condition and stored in the busy bees classroom and napping room. First aid kit supplies are kept inside the classrooms and LPA observed the kits to be fully equipped. During this visit, per director Carmen Cerda, stated there is 1 child with medication or severe food allergies and Epi pen was stored in high top cabinet inaccessible to children. The EPI pen is dated to expire on 10/20/24. LPA Garcia asked if there were any poisons, firearms, weapons or bodies of water. Director, Carmen stated no firearms, weapons, no poisons nor bodies of water. LPA did not observe firearms or weapons, poisons, nor bodies of water. Director Carmen stated the ill isolation area takes place in the director’s office and children utilize staff restroom next to directors office. All Classrooms share restrooms and the restrooms are located between Hungry Caterpillars and Busy Bee classrooms. LPA Garcia observed the restrooms to be in good condition with working toilets, sinks, hand soap dispenser and paper towels. LPA observed a total of 4 toilets and 3 hand washing sinks. At approximately 10:40 a.m. LPA Rivera and Gacia entered the outdoor play area. LPA Rivera observed ladder extension on the right side upon entering outdoor area and was observed to be barricaded with a screen cover. LPA Rivera observed the equipment to be in a safe condition, free of sharp, no lose or pointed parts. The surface of the outdoor activity space is maintained in a safe condition and is free of hazards. LPA Rivera observed play structure equipment to be age appropriate and areas around or under high climbing equipment, are cushioned with artificial turf that may absorb a fall. For adequate shade, LPA Rivera observed sail triangles for the playground on located on the right side. The left side of the playground and play structure also had artificial turf and there were no shade sails observed. LPA observed the playground yard to be fenced and the side gate closed and locked with a combination lock. The gate that leads to the parking lot was observed to have a push door and high side latch. LPA observed 2 trash bins with tight lids. For outdoor water drinking, staff bring out water jugs and children’s individual sippy cups to be refilled. There were 12 children children playing on the playground and Staff #5 and #6 present supervising the children. This program provides breakfast, lunch and am/pm snack. Meals and snacks are provided by an outside vendor. LPA Rivera informed director, Carmen that any food brought from the children's homes, the container shall be labeled with the child's name and properly stored or refrigerated. For water drinking, LPA Rivera observed water pitchers and individual sippy cups in the classrooms. LPA observed the food preparation area to be clean and free of litter, rubbish, rodents, and/or any other vermin and storage containers for solid waste, including movable bins with tight-fitting covers that are kept on, and in good repair. The facility was observed to be free of flies, other insects and rodents. The following documents were posted in a prominent, publicly accessible area at the facility: Facility License, Notification of Parents' Rights (PUB 393), Personal Rights (LIC 613A), Menu, and Earthquake Preparedness (LIC 9148). PUB 269 Child Passenger System Poster, and Daily Schedul e. LPA Rivera observed sign in/out sheets and observed 34 signatures and informed director to ensure to have parents sign in and out daily. LPA Rivera reviewed the children’s roster, children’s files and staff files. LPA rivera observed childrens files to be complete and staff files to be incomplete. LPA Rivera observed director Carmen Cerda Pediatric First Aid/CPR from American Heart Association certification dated 3/30/23, Preventative Health and Safety certification dated 1/25/23 and has proof of immunization against Pertussis, MMR and Influenza declination. LPA RIvera observed Director Carmen Cerda mandated reporter (AB 1207) with expiration date 8/19/23 . Director was informed that the mandated reporter training must be completed every 2 years, and is available at www.mandatedreporterca.com Items discussed during this visit: 1. The following items are prohibited by Licensing: Refused Entry to a Facility or Any Part of a Facility is a violation of Section 1596.852, 1596.853 or 1597.09. Regulations 101238 (g) (2), The Presence of an Excluded Individual, Fire Clearance Violations, Accessible Bodies of Water, Accessible Firearms, Ammunition or Both 2. Breakfast/Lunch/Snack Menus: Menus are required to be posted one week in advance where it is visible by the child's authorized representative. Menus for the past 30 days must also be available upon request. 3 . Current Children’s Roster: Each childcare facility shall maintain a current roster of children who are provided care in the facility. The roster shall include the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the child's parent or guardian, and the name and telephone number of the child's physician. This roster shall be available to the l icensing agency upon request . 4 . LIC 311A - Records to be Maintained at the Facility: LPAs advised that forms, regulations and quarterly updates can be accessed on the Child Care Licensing website at: www.ccld.ca.gov . 5 . Pediatric First Aid and CPR: At least one person trained in Pediatric First Aid and CPR and EMSA approved must be present. 6 . Designated Staff: The name of the childcare center director or fully qualified teacher(s) designated to act in the director's absence must be on file. 7.Qualifications: Educational background, training, and/or experience for each staff present must be available for review 8. Immunization Requirements: Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles or influenza declination 9. Children’s Records: must be available for review; including but not limited to, the following: Name, address and telephone number of the child's authorized representative and of relatives or others who can assume responsibility for the child if the authorized representative cannot be reached when necessary. Director Carmen Cerda, 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. 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 21-21.1CCP). LPA verified that the lead testing was not completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. LPA referred director, Carmen Cerda to the Department website for lead: Lead Toxicity Prevention and Water Testing Information. This facility provides Incidental Medical Services – IMS. LPA reviewed storage of “medication and equipment/supplies, and reviewed children’s, personnel, and administrative records. 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-carecenters/ . Director, Carmen Cerda 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. 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 . The deficiency listed on the following page was observed by the LPA Rivera and is being cited in accordance with Health and Safety code 1596.871(c)(1)(A) - Subsequent to initial licensure, a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall obtain either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification, pursuant to subdivision (f) of this section or Section 1522.7, from the State Department of Social Services prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the facility. Deficiencies that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children’s health & safety. A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon their return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled child for the next 12 months. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt (LIC 9224) shall be in each child’s file, acknowledging receipt. The deficiency listed on the following page was observed by LPA Rivera and is being cited in accordance with Health and Safety code 1597.16(a)(1) (1) A licensed child day care center, as defined in Section 1596.76, that is located in a building that was constructed before January 1, 2010, shall have its drinking water tested for lead contamination levels on or after January 1, 2020, but no later than January 1, 2023, and every five years after the date of the initial test. 1596.7995(a)(1) (1) Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles. Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year. California Code of Regulations Title 22. 101216.2(e) (e) An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher. Please see attached LIC 809-D for citation. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a $100.00 civil penalty. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Carmen Cerda, Director.