Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Thompson conducted an unannounced annual random inspection on today\342\200\231s date. LPA met with assistant then entered the family childcare home at 8:35 AM. LPA observed licensee Joan Ellis and assistant caring for seven children. Facility Day care hours are 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
During the inspection it was determined the facility is operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance of staffing ratios. A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary on this date indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.
During today\342\200\231s inspection, LPA toured the inside and outside areas identified in the facility sketch as accessible to childcare children. Off limits areas are made inaccessible by means of baby safety locks and safety gates. The childcare area consists of family room, dining room, kitchen, garage, office, and backyard. Bathroom is located next to the dining room.
The facility has a fireplace inside the family room that is inaccessible to children. There is a working carbon monoxide, smoke detector, and a fire extinguisher in the home that meet statutory and State Fire Marshall standards. Last emergency drill conducted and documented on 8/12/2025. Detergents, cleaning compounds, medicines, and other items which could pose a danger if readily available to children were stored inaccessible to children. Licensee stated there are no firearms and/or other dangerous weapons in the facility, and none were observed during today's inspections.
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The home has age-appropriate toys for the ages served. LPA verified there is a working telephone service (cellular service). Licensee stated, they use the back yard for outdoor play, LPA inspected the back yard, and it was found to be incompliance. There are no bodies of water at the facility.
The licensee has a current roster of children in care. Children\342\200\231s records for children present during the inspection were reviewed for a copy of the emergency information card that contains all the information specified by regulation (LIC 700), Immunization records, Affidavit Regarding Liability Insurance (LIC282), Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment (LIC627), Notification of Parent\342\200\231s Rights (LIC995A), Infant Safe Sleep documentation and found NOT to be in compliance. Three out of seven children did not have immunization records on file. Licensee was unable to provide nap logs for three infants present during the inspection.
The licensee American Red Cross approved Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification expires 9/7/2027. Beginning September 1, 2016, Health and Safety (H&S) 1597.622 states, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a family childcare home if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles. Proof of immunization against pertussis, measles for licensee reviewed and within compliance.
Beginning March 31, 2018, H&S Code 1596.8662 requires all licensed providers and employees to complete mandated reporting training, and to renew the training every two years.
Licensee mandated reporter certification expired 3/1/2025 and assistants mandated reporter expired 2/26/2025
.
The licensee understands she must be present in the facility and must ensure children in care are always supervised. Children are not to be left alone in parked vehicles. When the licensee is temporarily absent from the facility, arrangements must be made for a qualified substitute adult to care and supervise children while absent. The substitute adult must have the required criminal record, child abuse index clearances, immunization records, Pediatric CPR/First Aid, and mandated reporter training.
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CCLD website
www.ccld.ca.gov
was provided to licensee to access regulations, updates, and licensing forms. Licensee was advised to register through
childcareadvocatesprogram@dss.ca.gov
in order to receive quarterly updates. Licensee was advised of their responsibility to review the Provider Information Notices (PIN) found on the CCLD website. A copy of the California Department of Social Services Lead Information Brochure was explained and provided to the licensee.
LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee 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 licensee 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, a Plan for Providing 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)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/
.
LPA provided Guardian Information and website info:
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/community-care-licensing/caregiver-background-check/guardian
Licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over living or working in the home, 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 licensed Family Child Care Home. 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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Licensee 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.
In the areas that were evaluated, one TYPE A and two TYPE B deficiencies were observed of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 at the time of the visit. See LIC 809D pages for deficiencies.
LPA Thompson informed licensee Joan Ellis that this report dated 10/17/2025 document(s) two Type A citation(s) which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.
Also, LPA Thompson informed the licensee Joan Ellis to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 10/17/2025 that documents any Type A citation(s) to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification
During the exit interview, the LICENSEE Joan Ellis, confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS.
A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee Joan Ellis.