Pre-licensing visit·June 24, 2025

On 5/7/25 at 8:30 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Nancy Her conducted an announced Pre-Licensing inspection for a conversion to a single license facility. Upon arrival, LPA met with Facility Representative (Representative), Adaluz Ramirez. Facility is currently licensed for 100 preschool children (243808432). Applicant is Merced County Community Action Board and they are requesting to be licensed for 96 preschool children ages 2-5 in classrooms 1-4 and 16 toddlers ages 18 months \342\200\223 36 months in classroom 5. Hours of operation will be Monday \342\200\223 Friday 7:30 am \342\200\223 5:30 pm. All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized for the children was inspected today. LPA informed Representative 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, Representative stated that they will be in a locked cabinet in the Director\342\200\231s office. A fully equipped first aid kit is located in each classroom. There is an operational carbon monoxide detector on site located along the rear wall of the building near the preschool children\342\200\231s bathrooms. All required licensing documents were observed posted in the on a rear wall that is visible from all classrooms. Children will be signed in and out at the child\342\200\231s classroom. LPA continued to tour the facility and measured all indoor and outdoor activity space. Total indoor activity space for the preschool children measured to an approximate 3,404 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 96 preschool children based on Title 22 requirements of 35 square feet per child. Total indoor activity space for the toddler children measured to an approximate 874 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 16 toddler children. LPA observed all indoor activity space 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 a water dispenser from a water vendor service and plastic cups provided by the facility. LPA observed all hazardous items to be inaccessible to children. There are no bodies of water or weapons on the property. Sleep logs for toddler children ages 18 months \342\200\223 24 months are kept in a binder in the classroom and will then be stored in the child\342\200\231s file. Needs and Services Plans and Sleep Plans for toddler children ages 18 months \342\200\223 24 months are kept in the child\342\200\231s file. A fire clearance was granted by the City of Merced Fire Department on 05/14/25. LPA observed a total of 18 sinks and 8 toilets available for preschool children\342\200\231s use. These are sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 96 preschool children. LPA observed a total of 5 sinks and 2 toilets available for toddler children\342\200\231s use. These are sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 16 toddler children. Facility will provide breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Food is prepared off-site at the Merced County Community Action Agency\342\200\231s centralized kitchen and delivered to the facility daily. The facility currently has a fully fenced playground area for each component. Fencing in the preschool outdoor area is at least four feet high. The total square footage for all the outdoor activity space for the preschool is an approximate 11,016 square, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 96 preschool children. Fencing in the toddler outdoor area is at least four feet high. The total square footage for all the outdoor activity space for the toddlers is an approximate 2,162 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 16 toddler children. Shade is provided via a shade structure in each component\342\200\231s outdoor activity area. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on each of the playgrounds. There is a climbing structure on the preschool playground for children ages 2-6 years which is properly anchored and appeared to be age appropriate. There is adequate cushioning in fall zones of climber provided by rubber pour cushioning in the preschool outdoor area. Drinking water is available in each outdoor space from an igloo water jug that is filled by staff with water from the water vendor service. Facility provides cups for children to consume the water. LPA observed all hazardous items on the playgrounds to be inaccessible to children. Representative was reminded that any changes to the facility must be reported to and approved by Community Care Licensing. Facility representative, Adaluz Ramirez 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. 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). This facility plans to provide Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. For IMS information, see PIN 22-02-CCP . An IMS plan has been submitted to the Fresno Regional Office. 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 LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations for with Facility Representative 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 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. Representative 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. Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platforms. To receive important licensed related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. The following correction is needed prior to the issuance of the license: \302\267 Diaper changing tables in the toddler classrooms need to be within an arm\342\200\231s reach of a sink. Applicant Adaluz Ramirez understands that all proof of corrections must be provided to the Department within 30 days, or the application may be denied. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Facility Representative, Adaluz Ramirez. A copy of this report is to remain in the facility for public review.