Routine inspection·September 9, 2025

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mayra Rivera conducted an unannounced annual inspection and met with Director, Carmen Cerda who guided LPA 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 Owls, and Hungry Caterpillars classrooms are currently not being utilize due to low enrollment. 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 with plastic bins for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored inside high cabinet making it inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPAs observed a step trash bins with a tight lid. LPA entered The Busy Bees classroom and did not observe children. The children were combined with the Grasshopper classroom due to low ratio. 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 with plastic bins for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored in a high-top cabinet making it inaccessible for children to reach and open. LPA Rivera observed a step trash bin with a tight lid. LPA entered Grasshoppers classroom. LPA observed 11 children having lunch and getting ready for nap time. LPA observed staff #1 and staff #2 present providing care and supervision. 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 cubby for children to store their personal belongings. LPA observed cleaning solutions stored inside the high-top cabinet making it 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 Rivera. LPA observed central AC/heater and vents located on the ceiling. LPA observed the thermostats located in Hungry Caterpillar room and temperature to be 72 degrees. Smoke detectors were not tested during this visit due to the detectors being wired to the emergency pull down fire alarm system. Carbon monoxide detector in Hungry Caterpillars classroom, LPA Rivera tested and heard the sound, and it is operable. The last emergency drill was conducted on 8/4/25. LPA observed napping equipment (mats) to be in good condition and stored in the Hungry Caterpillar classroom. 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 one child with prescribed Albuterol and LPA observed medication and expires on 4/5/2026. The medication is stored in the child’s classroom inside a top cabinet in a Ziploc bag making it inaccessible for children to reach. LPA Rivera 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 the single restroom located in the hallway. All classrooms share restrooms, and the restrooms are located in the hallway. LPA Rivera observed the restrooms to be in good condition with working toilets, sinks, hand soap dispenser and paper towels. LPA observed a total of 6 toilets and 5 hand washing sinks. LPA Rivera 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 2 sail triangles, 1 hip hoof and 2 pergolas. The left side of the playground and play structure also had artificial turf. 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. This program provides meals and am/pm snacks. Meals and snacks are prepared onsite. 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, facility provided filtered water and 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. Facility lead testing was conducted by the city of Santa Clarita Weck Laboratories on 11/29/23 an no lead exceedance in the kitchen. 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 Schedule. LPA Rivera observed sign in/out sheets and observed 11 signed in signatures. LPA Rivera reviewed the children’s roster, children and staff files. LPA Rivera observed director Carmen Cerda American Heart Association First Aid/CPR from certification dated 3/25/25. LPA informed the certification is incorrect and the required certification is Pediatric First Aid/CPR. Director called trainer to inform the card issued is incorrect and requested the required pediatric first aid/cpr. Preventative Health and Safety certification dated 1/25/23 and has proof of immunization against Pertussis, MMR, and Influenza declination. Director has completed the mandated reporter training dated 10/15/23. 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 125 Entrance Checklist for Child Care Center: 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: . Pediatric First Aid and CPR: American Heart Association or American Red Cross or Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Certification and at least one person trained in Pediatric First Aid and CPR must be present must be renewed every two years. 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. 10 . Staff Records: must be available for review; background clearance, LIC 503 Health Screening report, LIC 9108 Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse, Staff Qualifications, LIC 9050 Employee Rights, LIC 501 Personnel Record, AB 1207 Mandated Child Abuse Certification, MMR, TDAP, TB, influenza, or influenza declination. 11. Isolation- When a child is ill, he/she shall be separated from other children, and remain separated. 12. Annual fees must be paid promptly and by the due date or a late fee shall be assessed and/or the license shall be terminated. 13. Any unusual incidents or injuries must be reported to the Department within 24 hours via telephone and within seven (7) days in writing (refer to LIC 624). 14 . Fire and safety drills must be performed every six (6) months and documented for review by the Department. 15 . The fire extinguisher type 2A-10BC must be serviced annually or as often as necessary and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked, and batteries replaced as needed. 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. 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. LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. 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 t o 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 . During this visit, LPA Rivera was informed, that the facility has submitted an update LIC 200A Application for Center to add infant and school-age. LPA explained the indoor and outdoor requirement for each component and the additional information for infant indoor and outdoor activity space. During this visit director stated preschool and school-age children will be sharing the outdoor play area. LPA information, facility needs to submit a outdoor waiver request and attached a daily schedule to show outdoor times to ensure that there’s no commingling. One technical violation given during this visit. 101216(f)- (f) At least one staff member who is trained in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation and pediatric first aid pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.866 shall be present when children are at the child care center or offsite for center activities. No deficiencies given during this visit. 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 and appeal rights were reviewed with director Carmen Cerda .