Incident investigation·September 20, 2024

On 09/20/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kruz Long conducted an unannounced case management visit. A COVID-19 risk assessment was conducted. LPA met with Claudia Arias, Site Director/Teacher and explained the purpose of the visit. LPA observed 1 child with 1 staff member. The purpose for today\342\200\231s visit is to deliver investigation finding for an incident that occurred on 07/22/2024. The incident was self-reported to the department on 07/31/2024. The incident is regarding supervision. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed Staff #1 (S1), Staff #2 (S2) and Staff #3 (S3), Child #2 (C2), Child #3 (C3) and attempted to interview Child #1 (C1). According to interviews conducted with staff, there was a field trip that took place on 07/22/24 to the Long Beach Aquarium. Children were broken up into smaller groups with a ratio of 3-5 children to 1 staff. All staff, which included lead teachers and assistants, remained inside the aquarium as they toured the exhibits with the children in separate groups. According to S1, all staff and groups were to meet for lunch. Per S1, the group containing C1 did not arrive at the meeting location for lunch. For about 15 minutes. S1 attempted to contact S2 who was supervising the group that did not arrive at the meeting location. S1 called S3 to inform that S2\342\200\231s group did not arrive at the meeting location for lunch. S1 then found the missing group, however, C1 was missing. S1 assisted S2 in locating C1 who was found at the gift shop. page 1 of 2 Per S2, the group was in the seal habitat exhibit and proceeded to go down the stairs for lunch. C1 wanted to circle around to meet the group instead of following the group. The circle did not meet at the same place. According to S2, they observed C1 walk away from the group and was unable to catch up to C1. The groups were gathered and while other Staff members supervised the children, S1 went to find C1. C1 was gone for about 5 minutes. S1 then found C1. Per S3, S3 was roaming the aquarium and found S2. S2 informed S3 that C1 was missing for about 4 minutes. S3 later received a call from S1 indicating C1 had been found. Per C3, C1 got lost but did not disclose how. Based on interviews conducted, the deficiency was cited in accordance with the Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and Health & Safety Codes. Please see LIC809D for documentation of deficiency. Upon receipt of the licensing report. Licensee shall post report documenting Type A citation along with Notice of Site Visit Form in an area accessible for review for 30 days or a civil penalty of $100 will be assessed. Licensee shall also provide a copy of the report documenting Type A citation and any report resulting from a Non-Compliance Conference to all parents of currently enrolled children along with form LIC 9224 (Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report) for signature. Completed form shall be placed in child's file. Licensee shall also provide report and form to parents of newly enrolled children for the next 12 months. An exit Interview was conducted, a copy of this report and appeal rights along with Notice of Site visit was provided to Site Director. page 2 of 2