Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On 9/10/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Hanson Leong conducted an unannounced annual visit and met with the Director, Jenna Herzog. LPA explained the purpose of the visit to the director. The preschool facility has been inactive since 1/18/2024 and reopened on 8/14/2024. This location also has an infant program under license number 214005549.
Thirteen preschool-aged children and nine staff members were present during the visit. The nine staff members received criminal record clearance from the department. The facility is within its capacity limits and ratios for today’s visit.
LPA observed that all required documents, such as the facility license, waivers, notification of parents’ rights, personal rights, car seat laws, emergency disaster plan, and daily activities schedule, were displayed in a prominent, publicly accessible location.
Because the facility has been closed, emergency disaster drills have not been conducted. LPA reminded the director to complete and properly record them every six months.
The facility was observed to have first aid kits, functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fully charged fire extinguishers. The first-aid supplies were kept in a backpack and hung on a hook that is accessible to staff but out of reach for children.
LPA inspected the indoor and outdoor areas to identify health and safety hazards. The facility was clean, safe, sanitary, and in good repair. Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons, and other items that could pose a danger were stored in areas inaccessible to the children. All accessible cabinets and drawers in the classrooms were found to be free of hazardous materials or poisons.
LPA observed that the two classrooms had age-appropriate toys, furniture, educational materials, and designated storage space for each child. One classroom has a diaper-changing table within arm’s reach of a sink. LPA observed that all containers used for storage of solid waste, including movable bins, have a tight-fitting cover. The bathrooms were found to be clean and fully operational. The toilets and handwashing facilities were well-kept, safe, and clean.
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The outdoor playground has a fence at least four feet high. The outdoor play equipment is in good condition and has no sharp, loose, or pointed parts. The areas around and under high climbing equipment, swings, slides, and similar equipment were observed to be cushioned with woodchips. No bodies of water, such as pools or spas, were on site.
The preschool program currently provides food service for the children from an outside vendor. According to the director, none of the enrolled children have allergies.
Sleeping mats are provided for children to use for sleeping or napping. According to the director, the facility provides the sheets and blankets for the children and washes them weekly or as needed.
LPA observed that the facility currently records each child's attendance on paper, accounting for all parent signatures for each child. LPA reviewed ten children’s files and confirmed that all ten children have complete files that include their emergency contact information and medical information.
LPA reviewed the files for five staff members and confirmed that two were current with their Pediatric First Aid/CPR certifications. LPA found that one of the five staff members had completed the necessary twelve units in Early Childhood Education (ECE), which meets the qualifications required to be classified as a teacher. The four other staff members were employed as teacher’s aides or teacher assistants.
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.
LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP.
Director 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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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.
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 are available at:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers
Director 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.
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
No deficiencies were issued today during LPA's visit.
A copy of today’s report was given to the director.
A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director, Jenna Herzog.