Buhach Preschool

LIMITATIONS ON CAPACITY

(a) A licensee shall not operate a child care center beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license, including the capacity limitation.This requirement is not met as evidence by: Based on interviews and records reviewed, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. The facility is commingling school age and preschool children in preschool #3 during the beginning of the day. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to children in care.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

(f) The items specified in (d)(1)(A) through (H) above shall also be reported to the child's authorized representative. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on interviews it was confirmed that the facility failed to notify child #1's authorized representatives of an unusual incident. Furthermore, LPAs did not observed an incident report on file that would suggest that facility reported the incident to child #1's authorized representatives. This is poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care.

(c) To be a fully qualified teacher, a teacher shall have one of the following:(1) Twelve post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development completed, with passing grades...(A) The units specified in (c)(1) above shall include courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:LPAs conducted file reviews and observed staff #3, staff #12 and staff #13 were not qualified teachers. LPAs observed the facility utilizing staff #3, staff #12 and staff #13 as fully qualified teachers in preschool #2 and preschool #3, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care.

TEACHER-CHILD RATIO

(a) There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance, except as specified in (b) and (c) below.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPAs observed two instances on 03/19/2025 were the facility operated over ratio. LPA Herrera observed that staff #12 arrived in preschool #2 after the classroom was already over ratio with staff #13 supervising 14 children. Additionally, LPA observed 37 children in the playground with 3 staff members. LPA confirmed the census with staff and by reviewing facility records that confirmed the facility operating over ratio, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care.

PERSONAL RIGHTS

101223 Personal Rights (a)The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature.... This requirement was not met based on evidenced of records reviewed and interviews. LPA Herrera obtained corroborating interviews and documentation that revealed staff #5 improperly handled a child in care, which posed an immediate risk to the health, safety and/or personal rights to children in care.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING CARE AND SUPERVISION

(a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs.(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:Based on interviews and records review the facility failed to supervised child #1 as they were left in the playground for approximately 4 to 5 minutes without supervision, which posed an immediate risk to the health, safety and/or personal rights to children in care.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Reporting Requirements(d)Upon the occurrence, during the operation of the childcare center of any of the events specified in (d)(1) below, a report shall be made to the Department by telephone or fax within the Department's next working day and during its normal business hours. In addition, a written report containing the information specified in (d)(2) below shall be submitted to the Department within seven days following the occurrence of such event......This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on that the facility did not report incidents to CCL as stated in LIC809 within 24 hours of the occurrence. This poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. LPA observed three tile floors of the children's restroom were damage, bathroom floors are dirty with an accumulation of grime that surrounded one of the toilets. LPA observed multiple broken toys stored in the children's playground patio along with a broken picnic table. LPA observed children have access to these damaged and broken toys and items. LPA observed one of the sinks in the Pre-K classroom did not have running water. Theses poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to children in care.

DISASTER AND MASS CASUALTY PLAN

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as there was no proof that a disaster drill had been conducted at least once every six months.

TEACHER-CHILD RATIO

(a) There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance, except as specified in (b) and (c) below.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Interviews revealed that facility has been operating, on multiple occasions, where staff was providing care for more than twelve preschool children. There was only one staff with 13 or more children present. These occasions of not being within ratio took place when the children were not napping.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING CARE AND SUPERVISION

(a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs. (1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:During the interview, it was disclosed a child was standing behind the shed alone without adult vision supervision. During today’s inspection, it was observed that staff were sitting down while the children was napping, and visual supervision was blocked due to the bookshelves.

Personnel Requirements: (k) The licensee or designated individual shall instruct all personnel to report observations or evidence of violations of any of the personal rights specified in Section 101223.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: During the interviews, it was disclosed that a staff member observed an incident involving a child conducted inappropriate behaviors, but the staff member failed to report the incident to the facility designated individual.

CRIMINAL RECORD CLEARANCE

(e) All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.871 shall prior to working, residing or volunteering in a licensed facility: (1) Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department This requirement is not met as evidenced by:Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. During today's Case Management inspection, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) observe Staff #1 (S1) was providing care and supervision to 12 children in the classroom. Per record reviewed and staff interviewed, S1 has been providing and care supervision to children without fingerprint clearance or exemption associated to this facility since of 01/02/2024, which poses a potential health, safety and or personal rights risk to children in care.

PERSONAL RIGHTS

101223 Personal Rights. (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning. Based on observation and interview, it was determinate that Ref #1 threw water at Ref #2 during recess break in the daycare playground. Ref. #1 also used the electric leaf blower (HART 40v) to blow leaves and other debris toward daycare children during recess which posed a health, safety, or personal rights risk to children in care.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING CARE AND SUPERVISION

Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision; No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPA observation on 10/18/21 and 11/10/21 of a child using the restroom unattended. This is an immediate risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care. Because this is a repeat violation within a 12 month period a civil penalty is being issued.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Reporting requirements. Upon the occurrence, during the operation of the child care center of any of the events specified in (d)(1)…a report shall be made to the Department by telephone or fax within the Department's next working day and during its normal business hours. (1) Events reported shall include the following: (E) Epidemic outbreaks. This requirement was not met as evidenced by information obtained during investigation there was a lice outbreak at the facility that involved two or more children that was not reported to Community Care Licensing. This is a potential risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care.

TEACHER-CHILD RATIO

Teacher Child Ratio. There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance, except as specified in (b) and (c) below. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPA interviews with witnesses whom indicate the classrooms are often out of ratio and and information obtained during the investigation. This poses an immediate risk to the health and safety of children in care. Because this is a repeat violation within a 12 month period a civil penalty is being issued.

PERSONAL RIGHTS

Personal rights. (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by information obtained during the investigation and LPA observation of mice droppings in the facility. This is an immediate risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons and other items that could pose a danger if readily available to children shall be stored where inaccessible to children. This requirement was not met as evidenced by LPA observation. During today’s inspection LPA observed mouse traps underneath sinks in the two year old classroom and Pre-K classroom that were not locked due to locks being broken and accessible to children in care. This is a potential risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care.

FIXTURES, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies. All containers used for storage of solid wastes, including moveable bins, shall have a tightfitting cover that is kept on; shall be in good repair; and shall be leakproof and rodent-proof. This requirement was not met as evidenced by LPA observation. During inspection LPA observed a banana peel in a trash can that did not have a tightfitting cover. This is a potential risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care.

FIXTURES, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies. Furniture and equipment shall be maintained in good condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. This requirement was not met as evidenced by LPA observation. During inspection LPA observed a tricycle in the outdoor play area that was missing a pedal creating a pointed metal part. This is a potential risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care.