Routine inspection·October 7, 2025

On 10/07/25, at 2:00PM. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), T. Tran conducted an unannounced annual random visit at Baldwin Park Tricities Elizabeth Head Start. At 2:20PM, LPA met with Education Program Manager, Ufuoma Akwaja. LPA announced the purpose of today\342\200\231s visit. At 2:30PM, we toured the facility inside and outside. LPA observed dismissal time. No concerns with care and supervision. This Head Start program is located on the Elementary School ground. The facility serves two half-day classes and four full days classes. The hours of operation are 8:00am - 2:30pm Monday - Friday. There is no extended care offered. LPA observed all posting requirements for operation on the posting board LIC 203A-License, LIC 610 A-Emergency Disaster Plan, LIC 9148-Earthquake Preparedness Check List, PUB 394-Notification of parent\342\200\231s rights poster, LIC 613A- Personal Rights, PUB 269- Child Car Seat Law, Menus, Activity Schedule, and completion of water testing for lead on 12/1/23. Children\342\200\231s records were reviewed for completeness. Staff records are located at the main office. LPA will arrange another visit to the main office for the files review. LPA observed current CPR and First Aid Certification for all center staff. All center staff that were present during today\342\200\231s inspection had fingerprint cleared and associated to the designated license number. The classrooms equipment and learning materials were inspected for age appropriateness, set up, and good repair. Telephone service, heating, lighting, and ventilation were evaluated. Children napping equipment met the requirement regulation and properly stored. Individual storage cubbies for children's belongings observed. Functional children\342\200\231s and staff bathrooms are located in between the two classrooms. The isolation area for when children become ill located in the corner of each class. Children have access to filtered drinking water and disposable cups indoors and outdoors. First Aid supplies were inventoried. A review of medication policy, including administering, labeling, storage, and records was made. Documentation of current Fire & Earthquake drill was observed. The facility offered breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The food items are delivered daily to the site from the private vendor Chefables. The food preparation area was toured for safety, cleanliness, and properly stored. Facility is reminded that smoking is prohibited on the premises. The outdoor area is fully fenced and made inaccessible to the public. Outdoor equipment and material were inspected for safety, cushioning material, good repair, and age appropriateness. The play area has no blind spots and required shade observed. Play area was inspected for hazards and inaccessibility to bodies of water. Facility was informed of responsibility to report suspected Child Abuse by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-540-4000. LPA advised of the requirement to report Unusual Incidents and/or injuries to the parent/guardian and to CCL within the time frame specified by the regulation, this includes any changes as soon as they occur such as construction, remodeling, telephone number changes and/or if you move from your location. LPA informed the Facility Representative of the Child Care Advocate Program (CCAP) to provide many other helpful resources to the licensees and the public. LPA advised access forms, regulations and quarterly updates on the Child Care Licensing website at: www.ccld.ca.gov . 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 . Facility representative (FR) 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 referred FR to the Department website for lead: Lead Toxicity Prevention and Water Testing Information . This facility provides Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. LPA reviewed storage of \342\200\234medication and equipment/supplies, and reviewed children\342\200\231s, 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-care-centers/ . Facility representative Ufuoma Akwaja 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. The facility was found in compliance with Title 22 regulations, no deficiency was cited at this time. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. The Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) \342\200\223 must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative, Ufuoma Akwaja