Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dayna Chambers conducted an unannounced annual inspection to the above facility on August 13, 2024. LPA arrived at the facility at 12:30PM, identified self and met with Alba Castro de Torres, Licensee. Jonathan Torres, guided analyst on a tour of the facility. LPA provided Licensee with a copy of the LIC 126 Entrance Checklist to help facilitate the inspection. LPA observed that also present during this inspection, was Elvia Villegas, Licensee\342\200\231s Assistant. LPA observed 9 children upon arrival. Per Licensee, operation hours are Monday through Friday 6:00am to 7:00pm. There are 17 children that are currently enrolled. A current children\342\200\231s roster was available for review. This is a one-story home which consists of 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, activity room, front yard, and backyard (fenced).
The children use the bathroom in the hallway. Per Licensee, areas off limits to children and parents include: one bathroom for adults. The licensee provides food for children in care. Individuals who reside in the home were noted and discussed. Per Licensee, they currently have two assistants. Licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over living or working in the home, including employees and volunteers, 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 up to $500.00 maximum per day/per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. There are no pets on the premises. Licensee states that there are no firearms stored in the home.All areas identified on the facility sketch that are accessible for children to use were inspected for safety, comfort, and cleanliness. There is telephone service via cellphone and the cellphone stays at the facility during operation hours. There is ventilation and heating via central heat and air conditioning. Safe toys play equipment and materials were observed. Detergents, cleaning compounds, medications, and other items which could pose a danger to children were observed to be inaccessible to children. The licensee states that there are no poisons in the home and understands that storage areas for poisons must be locked with a key or combination lock. The restroom that children use was observed to be safe and sanitary. The valve on the required 2A 10BC fire extinguisher indicates fully charged, however, service has expired on 11/09/2023. Licensee will provide the correction by 08/16/24. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were tested and are operable. Licensee
LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee and assistant and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/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. Currently, the backyard is currently off-limits until project is completed. Licensee will notify LPA when completed. The children are currently not using the back yard due to construction which was properly reported to the Department. The children will resume playing in the backyard when the work is completed. The children are dancing and playing inside because it is hot weather. The outdoor play area was observed to be fenced. The licensee is observed to be operating within the license capacity limitations. LPA did not observe any children left in parked vehicles. Car seats shall only be used for transportation. LPA did not observe any children sleeping in car seats. The licensee and other personnel have completed training on preventive health practices including Pediatric First Aid and CPR. The licensee's Pediatric First Aid and CPR expires on 08/03/2025.
There are first aid supplies available. LPA advised that if a child shows signs of illness, he/she/they shall be separated from other children. Children\342\200\231s records were reviewed, including emergency information, and were observed to be complete. The licensee does have proof of immunizations: MMR, TDAP, declination of influenza, and TB clearance. LPA observed that the Licensee and assistant does have proof of the Mandated Reporter AB 1207 compliant Child Care Training Certificate on file. LPA issued a Confidential Names List (LIC 811) to the licensee which documents staff and children\342\200\231s files reviewed during this inspection. All homes shall conduct fire and disaster drills at least once every six months and document the date and time of each drill. Last drill documented was conducted on 02/16/2024. LPA advised licensee that a new drill is due by August 16, 2024. LPA did/did not observe any pools, spas, hot tubs, fishponds, or similar bodies of water during the inspection. Emergency Disaster Plan, Parent\342\200\231s Rights Poster and the Facility License were observed to be posted. LPA did not observe the following items during the inspection: Infant Walkers, Johnny Jumpers, Saucer Chairs, Trampolines and/or any other item that fall into these categories are not permitted in a family childcare facility. Smoking is prohibited in a licensed Family Child Care Home. Per Licensee, no one smokes in the home. 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
. 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 discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-
resources/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. This facility provides Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. LPA reviewed storage of medication 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/
. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see
PIN 22-02-
CCP
. 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/
. Licensee was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; a consumer education website that helps families obtain childcare by connecting them to childcare providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. During the exit interview, the LICENSEE ****, confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee Alba Castro de Torres and Jonathan Torres. The following deficiencies listed on the attached deficiency page 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\342\200\231s health & safety.
Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, Article 06. Continuing Requirements
102417(g)(1)
Operation of a Family Child Care Home
(g) The home shall be free from defects or conditions which might endanger a child. Safety precautions shall include but not limited to: (1) Fireplaces and open face heaters shall be screened to prevent access by children. The home shall contain a fire extinguisher and smoke detector device which meet standards established by the State Fire Marshall.