Incident investigation·January 9, 2025

Page 1 of 2 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Mahnaz (Nancy) Malek conducted an onsite case management inspection for the purpose of investigating an incident that the facility self reported to our office on 1/3/2025. LPA met with director, Thanice Epps. Census was taken. There were a total of 17 infants and toddlers with 6 staff in 2 different classrooms. There were 13 children in Room F with 4 staff, and 4 children in Room G with 2 staff. Room C was not in use. According to the self incident report, two children were left unattended in the infant room for few minutes while staff # 1 (S1) was getting a buggy from the storage room to transition children outside on the playground. A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary on this date indicates all facility who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. Today LPA interviewed the director, and 3 staff who were involved in the reported incident. (S1, S2, and S3) The director stated they have spoken to staff regarding the importance of supervision and never leaving children unattended. There were no video footage to review the incident due to time sensitivity to show outside. The storage entrance is a blind spot to camera. The live video was no longer available S1 stated on 12/27/2024 around 10:30 am, they planned to have two 10 months old children outside on the playground using the buggy which was stored in the storage room away from the infant room. S1 states S1 left the two children on the floor in the activity area and left the room, taking the buggy out of the storage room to the playground using the other door leading to the playground. According to S1 the two children must have been unattended for 3 to 4 minutes. Continued on page 2 Page 2 of 2 S2 and S3 stated on 12/27/2024 around 10:30 am, they were on the playground with their group of children when they saw S1 coming out of the storage room with the buggy and no children. Children were left inside the room unattended. S2 and S3 could not determine the exact timing of children being unattended because they did not see S1 in the storage room until the door was opened. Based on the self reported incident, interviews with 3 staff who were involved in the incident, and reviewing documents (Internal Face to Name Sheet), in the areas that were evaluated, the following deficiency was cited of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 Section 101229(a)(1)for Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision . Please see next page on LIC 809D for details of deficiency. The director, Thanice Epps was informed that the “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted for 30 consecutive days. The “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted on or adjacent to the door. Failure to post will result in Civil Penalty of $100.00. LPA Malek informed the director, Thanice Epps that this report dated 1/9/2025 documents type A citation shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risks to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Malek informed the director, Thanice Epps to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 1/9/2025 that documents any Type A citation 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. The director, Thanice Epps was provided with a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. The exit interview was conducted with the director, Thanice Epps. End of report.