Routine inspection·September 5, 2025

On 9/5/2025 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Monica Ruiz and Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Katrina Chicote arrived at the facility noted above to conduct an unannounced annual random inspection. A risk assessment was conducted. LPA presented identification, explained reason for the visit, and provided the Entrance Checklist - Child Care Centers form (LIC 125). Facility Representative (FR) guided LPA Ruiz and LPM Chicote on a tour of the facility, indoor and outdoor. This is a preschool program which is currently licensed for a capacity of 37 children and operates Monday – Friday from 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM, year round. Per the Assistant Director, there are 35 children enrolled who come at various schedules. LPA obtained a census of 15 children with 3 staff present and with additional staff in office and leading tour. The facility is located inside of the Alexander Hughes Community Center. The following classroom was inspected: ABC classroom, which is one entire room that accommodates the combined ages of children. There is a quiet area designated in main room for children to rest or self regulate. Teacher-child ratios were observed to be in accordance with Title 22 Regulations. Staff names were recorded. All children were observed to be under supervision, including visual supervision. Licensed facility is within the conditions, limitations, and capacity specified on the license. Teacher-child ratios were observed to be in accordance with Title 22 Regulations. Staff names were recorded. All children were observed by LPAs to be under supervision, including visual supervision, of a teacher at all times. The licensed facility is within the conditions, limitations, and capacity specified on the license. page 1 All areas identified on the Facility Sketch were inspected and the following was observed: All indoor classrooms were inspected to ensure that furniture and equipment are age-appropriate and in good repair, and the floors have a surface that is safe and clean. Napping equipment and bedding were inspected for good condition and appropriate storage. LPA observed cots with children’s bedding to be stored so that napping equipment and bedding is not touching other children’s bedding. Children’s bedding is stored in a pocket on the bottom of the cot. Per FR parents take children’s bedding home on Fridays to be washed and returned on Mondays. Storage for children's belongings was inspected and LPA observed children to have their own labeled cubbies to store their belongings in all classrooms. Children bring sippy cups from home and are allowed to drink freely at any time. Sippy cups are refilled on demand from a water pitcher located in the classroom. Water pitchers are refilled in the kitchen from a water filtration system. Per Director, sippy cups are taken home and washed daily . LPA observed toys and materials for children in the classrooms such as books, art supplies, blocks, sensory toys and manipulatives available inside the classroom. Restrooms used by children were inspected for availability and good repair. All materials and surfaces accessible to children appear to be toxic free. Per FR the office is used as an isolation area. Staff provide 100% supervision when ill child is using the isolation room and/or restroom, and parents are contacted immediately when children are determined to be ill, and staff are ensuring that children with obvious symptoms of illness are not accepted. FR’s shift ended at 11:30am, report was reviewed with the Assistant Director who assisted LPA with the reminder of visit. Food menus were reviewed to ensure that they are being posted at least one week in advance and visible to an authorized representative. Menus for the past 30 days are available upon request. The facility provides am and pm snacks and parents provide lunch. page 2 All kitchen, food preparation, and food storage areas are clean and free of litter, rubbish, and rodents, and other vermin. All food is protected from contamination, and LPA inspected that any contaminated food is discarded immediately. LPA inspected food to be of good quality and quantity. LPA advised AD to label all food items. Assistant Director states that there are no poisons or firearms on the premises. First aid kits are located in the classroom and outdoors. Telephone service, heating, lighting and ventilation were evaluated. At 10:30 PM LPA observed the facility to have operable carbon monoxide and smoke detectors located in classroom. The facility has outdoor play areas that are fully fenced. LPA observed there to be a garden for children. LPA observed a hose unwound in the garden, which poses a tripping hazard to children in care and advised FR to wind up the hose and store it so that it is in accessible to children. FR wound up hose immediately. LPA observed there to be tricycles, a bike path, play houses, water and sand activity table, and play structures for climbing and a garden. There is adequate shade in the play yards. There are safe toys, play equipment and materials observed for children outside. LPA advised Director to maintain cushioning under outdoor equipment and to maintain a fall space around climbing equipment. LPA observed the benches (seats) of the wooden lunch table in front of the children’s garden to be chipped and with jagged edges. LPA advised Assistant Director to have the benches repaired. AD states they will be getting rid of those tables. LPA reviewed facility roster and Disaster Drill log. Last drill was conducted on 8/20/25. LPAs observed all required posted forms to be posted in the office and on the wall outside of the classroom. At 12:00 PM Staff Records and Children’s Records were reviewed. LPA observed children’s files reviewed to be complete. Inspection of required forms was made. Children’s files reviewed contain information 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. LPA observed at least one person present during the inspection to be trained in Pediatric First Aid and CPR. LPA reviewed staff files, including Health Screenings. Staff immunization records (Influenza, Measles, and Pertussis) were reviewed and observed all staff files to be complete. LPA advised the Director to assess forms, regulations and quarterly updates on the Child Care Licensing website at: www.ccld.ca.gov . Page 3 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 . Director 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. 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 21-21.1- CCP). LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. LPA observed 1 out 1 child to be stored without the original prescription box. IMS information see PIN 22-02- CCP. When any IMS is provided, an updated Plan of Operation that includes IMS must be submitted to the Department. 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/ . PIN 22-05-CCP Assistant Director 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. page 4 Based on this information, the following deficiencies on the attached LIC 809D are being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Deficiencies that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children’s health & safety. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Assistant Director, Mandie O. York (page 5)