Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On Monday, December 23, 2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Staicy Perry and Mariah Aguirre conducted an unannounced annual inspection and met with licensee Maria Santiago, Licensee who guided LPA\342\200\231s on a tour of the facility.Family members residing in the home have been discussed with licensee and are cleared. LPA\342\200\231s observed 0 children present. Per licensee Maria children are out on winter break from December 23
rd
to December 27
th
. LPA\342\200\231s did reminder licensee of reporting requirements. LPA\342\200\231s did observe renovations being done on the house (construction-painting) and will reopen facility on December 30
th
2024. LPA\342\200\231s observed facility to be within ratio. Operating hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and care for children ages 0 to 13 years old.
This large family child care home is a two story home consisting of four (4) bedrooms, three (3) bathrooms, kitchen, living room, family room, dining room, laundry area, breakfast nook, and a downstairs basement.
Children have access to the living room, family room, dining room, laundry room and bathroom.
Off-limits to children in care is the kitchen and entire upstairs. LPA\342\200\231s observed children's safety gates in the downstairs area, preventing children from gaining access to the upstairs, kitchen, and basement.
LPA\342\200\231s inspected the facility for safety, comfort, cleanliness, ventilation and working phone (cell phone). For ventilation, LPA\342\200\231s observed central AC and the vents located on the sides of the wall. LPA observed the furniture, children\342\200\231s materials, to be in good condition and age appropriate. LPA\342\200\231s did observe a fireplace which was observed to be inaccessible to the children. LPA\342\200\231s did not observe wall heaters. LPA\342\200\231s observed pack and plays and cribs for children napping. LPA\342\200\231s observed to be free from bumper pads, blankets, pillows and hanging items.
LPA\342\200\231s observed cleaning compounds items, stored in the kitchen area cabinet and was made inaccessible for children to open. LPA\342\200\231s observed the knives and sharp objects stored inside the kitchen cabinet making it inaccessible for children to open. For water drinking, licensee stated she provides water for the children as
needed. The licensee stated the facility provides lunch and parents provide A.M snack and p.m. snack. LPA\342\200\231s informed licensee any food brought from the children's homes, the container shall be labeled with the child's name and properly stored or refrigerated. Licensee stated she currently does not have any children with severe food allergies nor on medication.
LPA\342\200\231s entered the bathroom and observed the toilet, hand washing sink, hand soap and LPA\342\200\231s observed the bottom sink cabinet closed and did not observe hazard materials and observed the restroom to be in good condition. LPA\342\200\231s reminded licensee and personal items (ex; shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, or items that fall into that category) must be made inaccessible to children.
LPA\342\200\231s asked the licensee if there were any pets, poisons, firearms, weapons, or bodies of water. The licensee stated she does not have pets. No poisons and no bodies of water, no firearms, and no weapons were observed. LPA\342\200\231s did not observe pets, poisons, firearms, weapons, nor bodies of water. The license was informed that if any poisons (ex; drano, rat poison or items that fall into that category), firearms and weapons are purchased, it is required to be locked with a key or combination lock and firearm and ammunition must be stored separately.
LPA\342\200\231s observed the required 2A10BC fire extinguisher located in the hallway and the valve on the green area indicating fully charged and serviced on 8/1/2024 .
LPA\342\200\231s observed a carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm located in the day care room. LPA\342\200\231s tested the carbon monoxide and smoke alarm. LPA\342\200\231s heard the sounds and are operable. LPA\342\200\231s observed the first aid complete with band aids, gauzes, adhesive bandages, and antiseptic wipes and located in the daycare room top cabinet. For ill isolation, licensee stated its at a corner in the daycare room. LPA\342\200\231s observed the last emergency drill conducted on 8/1/2024.
LPA\342\200\231s inspected the play outdoor (backyard) area that is utilized by children for safety, comfort, and cleanliness. LPA\342\200\231s observed the backyard to be fenced and side gates closed and with a keypad lock. LPA\342\200\231s observed the play equipment to be age appropriate and 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. For outdoor water drinking, children have access to the filtered water fountain.
LPA\342\200\231s observed licensee Red Cross Pediatric First Aid/ CPR certification expired on 4/22/26 and Health and Safety certification on file, and licensee has proof of immunization against Pertussis, MMR, and Influenza declination. Licensee has not completed the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter (AB 1207) training, last training expired on 5/3/19. Licensee was advised that the mandated reporter training must be completed every 2 years and is available at
www.mandatedreporterca.com
.
LPA\342\200\231s did also observe assistants file and was observed to be incomplete, which poses a potential health and safety risk for the children in care.
LPA\342\200\231s observed the postings License, LIC 9148 Earthquake Preparedness Checklist, LIC 610A Emergency Disaster Plan, Pub 394 Notification of Parents Rights, and LIC 999 Facility sketch. LPA\342\200\231s also reviewed children\342\200\231s roster, children files. LPA observed the files to be complete.
The following was also discussed with the licensee:
1.
The following items are zero tolerance 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 Pediatric First Aid and CPR: American Heart Association or American Red Cross or Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) approved in Pediatric First Aid and CPR must be present.
3. In the absence of the licensee a qualified adult must be present, supervising the children; a qualified adult is an individual who has a valid and current Pediatric first aid/ CPR-adult-child- infant certification (EMSA approved), a valid criminal record clearance associated to the facility license, immunization's (MMR, TDAP, TB and Influenza or Influenza declination), AB 1207 Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Certificate.
4. A current roster of children enrolled must be available and maintained for a period of 3 years, even after children are no longer attending the facility.
5. 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
6. The fire extinguisher type 2A-10BC must be serviced annually or as often as necessary and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked, and batteries replaced as needed.
7. Changes should be reported to the Department as soon as they occur such as construction, remodeling, telephone number changes and/or if you move from your home.
8. 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 624B). Mandated reporter requirements were reviewed and explained.
9. Fire and safety drills must be performed every six (6) months and documented for review by the Department.
10. Smoking is prohibited in the family childcare home.
11. Children and staff records must be maintained and updated as needed and be available for review by the Department.
12. Immunization Requirement: H&S 1597.622: Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a family day care home if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles. The licensee and all adults working with children have proof of immunizations.
13. Inspection Authority: All adults living and working in the home shall be made of aware of the Department\342\200\231s right to inspection the home, which includes, but is not limited to the right to enter the home when children are being cared for, interview children and adults and review documentation.
14. The facility license number must be on all advertisements, publications, or announcements with the intent to attract clients.
15. Isolation for Ill children: When a child is ill, he/she shall be separated from other children (reference 102417(e) Operation of a Family Child Care Home).
16. Liability Insurance was discussed; LPA advised applicant to review Title 22 Regulation 102417(m)(1) for additional information.
17. Dog(s) and/or pets are recommended to be isolated from children in care.
18. No baby bouncers, no infant walkers, no Johnny jumpers, no saucer chairs, and any other item that falls into this category is not permitted in the facility.
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
.
Family Child Care Homes Licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over living or working in the home, 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 licensed Family Child Care Home. 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\342\200\231s discussed the safe sleep regulations with 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 licensee 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.
Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02CCP. When any IMS is provided, a Plan for Providing 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)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/
.
Family Child Care Homes Licensee 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.
Maria,
confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS.Currently the facility is not compliance with title 22 regulations. The deficiency listed on the following page was observed by LPA\342\200\231s and is being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. One type B deficiency is being issued today. Please see attached LIC 809-D for citation. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted, and report was reviewed. Appeal rights were discussed and reviewed.