Routine inspection·May 14, 2025

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Nolan Tcheng conducted an unannounced random annual inspection. Upon arrival at 1:45pm, LPA met with Director Aarthi Ramalingham . At 1:55pm, LPA was led on a tour of the facility. This is a Preschool program with Toddler Component, which consists of 6 classrooms. Facility is located on the property of Sierra Madre Unified Methodist Church. Per licensee, there are currently 96 enrolled in the program. Hours of operation for this facility are 7:30am-5pm Monday-Friday. Licensing staff observed all required forms/publications to be posted in the office, with copies in the classrooms. Snack menus were reviewed to ensure that they are being posted one week in advance where it is visible by the child's authorized representative. Menus for the past 30 days are available upon request. At 1:55pm, LPA entered and inspected Room 304 (Toddler 18-24mo): 12 children with 1 staff member, Room 304.5 (Toddler 2s): 8 children with 1 staff member, Room 305 (3-4s): 13 children with 1 staff member, Room 306 (3-4s): 16 children with 1 staff member, Room 307 (3-6s): 21 children with 2 staff members, and Room 308 (3-6s): 17 children with 1 staff member. It was nap time during the time of the tour. Napping equipment was observed to be cots. Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, medication and other items that are dangerous to children, were inaccessible to children. Furniture and equipment are in good condition, free of sharp, loose, or pointed parts. All floors are clean and safe. All storage containers for solid waste, including moveable bins shall have tight-fitting covers that are kept on, and in good repair. Trash cans used to discard food have tight fitting lids. The facility was observed to be free of flies, other insects and rodents. Sufficient individual storage space for children was observed and each child has a cubby. Drinking water was readily available indoors. At this time, the office is used as an isolation area. A cot is available for an ill child to rest on. First Aid supplies are available and complete. Facility has a functioning carbon monoxide detector that meets statutory requirements. Facility representative states there are no weapons, firearms, or bodies of water on the premises . REPORT CONTINUES PAGE 1 of 4 At 2:10pm, a fire extinguisher was observed. The valve on the required 2A 10BC fire extinguisher indicates fully charged and was serviced on 08/14/2024 , as indicated on service tag. Per State Fire Marshall standards, fire extinguishers shall be serviced annually. There are restrooms adjacent to each classroom, that are available for children in care. All toilets, hand washing, and bathing facilities are safe, sanitary and are operating properly. This facility provides lunch for children in care through a third party provider. Snacks are provided from each child's own family. There are emergency snacks available for children in case they do not bring any. At 2:25pm, LPA reviewed the outdoor play area. Outdoor playground equipment is in safe condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. The surface of the outdoor activity space is maintained in a safe condition and is free of hazards. All areas around or under high climbing equipment, swings, slides, and similar equipment are cushioned with material that absorbs a fall. There is one outside play space, "Garden" yard that has grass, climbing equipment, and play house. There is the "Swing" yard with play structure, swing set, and climbing equipment. There is a Toddler yard that is physically separated from the other yards, that has play houses, sand area, and age appropriate toys. Drinking water is readily available outdoors. Teacher-child ratios were observed to be in accordance with Title 22 regulations. Staff names were recorded. All children were observed to be under visual supervision of a teacher during tour. The Licensee is within the conditions, limitations, and capacity specified on the license. All areas were identified on the Facility Sketch were inspected. At 2:40pm, facility records were reviewed. Sign in and out sheets were reviewed to ensure that the person who signs the child in and out uses their full legal signature and records the time of the day. Disaster drills have been conducted at least every six months. Staff files were reviewed for a health screening report and immunizations that meet regulatory requirements. Criminal Record Clearance for adults and verification of CPR/First Aid and health preventative practices documentation was reviewed. The name of the child care center director or fully qualified teacher(s) designated to act in the director's absence is on file. Educational background, training, and/or experience for each staff present are on file and were reviewed. A random sample of Children\342\200\231s Records were reviewed to ensure that they are complete. During review of children's files, LPA observed that Sleep Checks/Logs were not being kept for the children under 2 years of age, in the toddler component. LPA discussed the importance of keeping check for Infant Safe Sleep. Resources were provided to Director. REPORT CONTINUES PAGE 2 of 4 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 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. LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Director and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-andresources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed Director] of the importance of checking for recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at https://www.cpsc.gov/ and recommended they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment. 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 facility has an Attestation from the Dept stating they are exempt from lead testing. 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-carecenters/ REPORT CONTINUES PAGE 3 of 4 Facility Representative 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 deficiencies listed on the following pages were observed by the LPA and are being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Please see attached LIC 809D for deficiencies that are being cited and need to be cleared to protect the children\342\200\231s health & safety. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Aarthi Ramalingham, at 3:45pm. Plan of correction was developed and Copy of Report provided. END OF REPORT PAGE 4 of 4