Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On 6/13/24, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Lilli Babcock and Saul Valenzuela conducted an unannounced annual inspection. LPAs met with Director, Anges (Hye) Hahn, to whom the reason for the visit was explained, and who guided LPAs on a tour of the facility. This is a preschool program which is currently licensed for a capacity of 41 children and operates Monday – Friday from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Per Director there are 37 children enrolled.
Census was taken upon arrival and the following staff and children were observed by LPAs to be present: Room 1: Staff #1 and Staff #2 with 15 children, Room 2: Staff #3 and Staff #4 with 12 children. 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, of a teacher always. The licensed facility is within the conditions, limitations, and capacity specified on the license.
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 are safe and clean. Napping equipment including cots and bedding were inspected for good condition and appropriate storage. Per Director, children take their bedding home to wash weekly. Storage for children's belongings were inspected and LPAs observed children have their own labeled cubbies to store their belongings. Children bring water bottles from home and are allowed to drink freely at any time. Water bottles are refilled on demand from a water jug located in the classroom.
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LPAs observed toys and materials for children in the classrooms. Age-appropriate sinks and toilets were inspected for availability and good repair in restrooms used by children. Per Director, the office is used as an isolation area and ill children use the staff restroom. Per Director, 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 being accepted.
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 breakfast, lunch, and AM/PM snack. At 11:50 AM, LPAs observed one bottle of insect and spider poison located on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen area, Director was reminded that poisons must be locked. LPA Valenzuela observed the director place the poison in the file cabinet located in the office with a lock and key. All kitchen, food preparation, and food storage areas are clean, free of litter, rubbish, and rodents, and other vermin. All food is protected from contamination, and LPAs inspected that any contaminated food is discarded immediately. LPAs inspected food to be in good quantity and quality on this day.
All storage containers for solid waste, including moveable bins, have tight fitting covers on and are in good repair. Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, medication and other items that are dangerous to children, were inaccessible to children. Director states that there are no firearms on the premises.
Per Director there is one child at the facility that currently uses medication. At 12:00 PM LPAs observed that medication is not in its original packaging. LPAs advised director to reach out to parents to provide medication with original packaging that does not have an unaltered label. First aid kits were located. Telephone service, heating, lighting, and ventilation were evaluated. Per Director, preschool has their own cellphone line. LPAs observed the facility to have operable carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on this day.
The facility has an outdoor play area that is fully fenced. Outdoor playground equipment is free of sharp, loose, or pointed parts. At 12:15 PM LPA observed the surface of the outdoor activity space padding under the swing set has eroded. Director stated they will replaced the eroded padding. There is adequate shade in the play yard. There are safe toys, play equipment and materials observed for children outside on playground. Availability of outdoor drinking water was observed. Per Director, children bring their water bottles with them each time the classroom goes outdoors. Page 2 of 5
Sign-in and Sign-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. LPAs reviewed sign in/out sheets for the dates of 6/10/24 – 6/13/24 and LPAs observed at least two children were signed in but not signed out of the facility on each day during that time period. LPAs reviewed facility roster and Disaster Drill log. Last drill was conducted on 1/05/24. LPAs observed all required posted forms to be posted in the outside of the classrooms.
Staff Records and Children’s Records were reviewed. At 12:25 PM LPAs observed that Child #3 and Child #5 were missing signatures for LIC 627. Inspection of required forms were 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.
LPAs reviewed staff files, including Health Screenings. LPAs observed all personnel to be in good health and are physically and mentally capable of performing assigned tasks. At 12:40 PM LPAs observed staff #3 and staff #4 only obtained the General Training for Mandated Reporter Training (AB1207). LPAs reviewed that staff immunization records (Influenza, Measles, and Pertussis) were observed to be complete.
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.
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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.
LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with facility representative 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 facility representative 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 – IMS. LPAs reviewed storage of “medication and equipment/supplies, and reviewed children’s, 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/
.
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.
Based on the LPA’s observations and records review, the following deficiencies listed on the attached LIC 809D (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’s health & safety.
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A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with the facility representative, Anges (Hye) Hahn.
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