Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On 08/26/2025 at 10:00 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Crystal Green conducted an announced prelicensing inspection to add a new toddler program to an existing preschool license which will be consolidated under a new single license. Upon arrival, LPA met with Applicant Representative, Monica Bonilla. The Applicant, El Monte City School District, has requested to move their existing preschool program to new classrooms and add a new toddler program. The hours of operation will be from Monday through Friday from 8am to 2:30pm.
This facility is currently located in 2 bungalows on the campus of Cortada Elementary School and is licensed as a Preschool Program (198021744) with a capacity of 60 children serving ages 3 to 5 years old. The Applicant is requesting a new capacity of 64 children: (16) toddlers from ages 18 to 36 months in EHS #3 and EHS #4 and (48) preschoolers from ages 3 to 5 years old in HS #1 and HS #2.
All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized for the children was inspected today. Visitors and parents will access the facility through the side gate entrance facing Whitmore Street. LPA informed Monica Bonilla that staff are required to maintain direct visual supervision of the children at all times during indoor and outdoor activities. When medications are on site, Monica Bonilla stated that they will be in a higher cabinet located in each classroom. A fully equipped first aid kit is located within each classroom. There is an operational carbon monoxide detector on site located throughout the campus. All required licensing documents were observed posted near the front entrance of each classroom. Children will be signed in and out at the front entrance of each classroom. LPA continued to tour the facility and measured all indoor and outdoor activity space. Total toddler indoor activity space measured 1,573.27 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 16 toddlers.
Page 2:
Total preschool indoor activity space measured 1,780.09 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 48 preschoolers. LPA observed all indoor activity spaces to be complete with safe, age-appropriate furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, cubbies, napping cots, bookshelves, and other activity supplies for the children. Drinking water is available in the classrooms via filter dispenser attached to an accessible sink. LPA observed all hazardous items to be inaccessible to children. There are no bodies of water or weapons on the property. Fire clearance was granted on 8/22/2025.
LPA observed a total of (6) sinks and (4) toilets available for preschool children\342\200\231s use. The toddler children will have (5) sinks and (3) toilets available. These are sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of (64) children. LPA observed the toddler program to have a changing table available within each classroom located within arm\342\200\231s reach of a sink. There is a separate staff restroom equipped with a toilet and a sink. The isolation area for children who are ill will be the main office and ill children will use the staff restroom.
The facility will provide Breakfast, Lunch, and AM/PM Snacks. Food will be prepared and brough into the facility by the School District. There is a small kitchen area located between both programs which currently includes refrigerator, food prep counter, and sink. The kitchen area and food storage areas were observed free of rodents and/or vermin. Food was observed to be properly stored separate from cleaning materials. Hazardous items in the kitchen are inaccessible to children via locked door.
The facility currently has two fully fenced playground area (Preschool and Toddler Yards). Fencing is made of wrought iron which is at least four feet high. The total square footage for the toddler outdoor activity space is 1,592.37 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 16 toddlers. The total square footage for the preschool outdoor activity space is 3,347.15 square feet, which can only accommodate 44 preschoolers at one time.
Shade is provided via fixed shade. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on the playground. There is adequate cushioning in fall zones of climbers provided by artificial turf cushioning. Drinking water is available via filter water dispensiar. LPA observed all hazardous items on the playground to be inaccessible to children. Applicant, Monica Bonilla was reminded that any changes to the facility must be reported to and approved by Community Care Licensing.
Page 3:
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). Per Applicant, this building was recently completed around April 2025.
Applicant representative was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, 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.
Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For 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, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm\342\200\235
The Applicant was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, 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.
No corrections are needed. Based on the measurement obtained during today's inspection, A license for (60) children: (16) toddlers from ages 18 to 36 months in EHS #3 and #4; and (44) preschoolers from ages 3 to 5 years old in HS #1 and #2 will be granted upon a final file review.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Applicant Representative, Monica Bonilla.