Incident investigation·June 7, 2023

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mila Quinto conducted an unannounced case management incident inspection to follow up on the self-report Unusual Incident dated 4/6/2023. LPA met with Director Carolyn Wertheim. LPA observed 18 preschool children and 2 staff members. A review of staff criminal clearance records on this date indicates that all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. On 4/6/2023 a self-reported Unusual Incident Report (UIR) was filed with the Licensing Office. The facility reported that a child eloped out of the playground and exited the school to look for P1. On 4/20/22, 5/16/23 and 5/17/23, LPA interviewed 5 staff members including the Director. According to the Director, Staff 1 (S1) and Staff 2 (S2) were on the playground with 17 children. S2 was attending to a child by the gate next to the classroom, while S1 was on the playground supervising other children. Child 1(C1) saw the parent by the fence facing the street and came up to the fence to talk. Director stated S1 and S2 did not see C1 leave the playground. Director stated an elementary staff found C1 walking on the elementary grounds towards the office. C1 was found by one of the school districts staff on the elementary school ground near the office. According to S1, a few children were gathered around the fence facing the street where Parent 1(P1) parked. P1 said hello to C1 and headed towards the elementary ground. As the children were saying goodbye, S1 turned back towards the playground area as the children were walking back. S1 did not notice C1 leave the playground. S2 stated was attending to another child on the other side of the playground and did not notice C1 leave the playground. A preschool child pointed towards the elementary ground said, \342\200\234look there\342\200\231s C1\342\200\235. Staff 3 (S3) stated while on h er break, a call was received from the school district stating C1 was on the elementary school office with P1. S3 went out to the playground and informed S1 & S2, staff were already aware of C1 leaving the playground. No disclosure from Staff 4 (S4) as staff was not present during the incident. Page 2 On 5/31/23, LPA interviewed Parent 1(P1). According to P1, P1 was dropping off older child at the elementary school and parked on the street by the preschool playground. C1 saw P1 and said hi and proceeded to walk towards the elementary school office. As P1 was walking, P1 found C1 by the school office with another district staff. P1 stated C1 thought C1 was being picked up. P1 stated the staff handled this appropriately and had no concerns. On 6/7/23, LPA interviewed Child 1(C1). C1 stated when saw mom, C1 ran towards the exit door pointing the gate leading towards the street. Based on the interviews conducted with 5 staff, Parent 1, Adult 1 and C1, the following deficiency is being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Section 101229(a)(1) Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision. The deficiency is being cited on the attached 809D. This is a Type 'A' violation, shall post and provide copies of the report to parents/guardians of the children in care at the facility by the next business day and shall provide to the parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. In addition, the facility shall immediately post upon receipt the Proof of Correction for 30 consecutive days. The licensee is to keep Acknowledgement Receipt (LIC9224) signed by parents in each child\342\200\231s file. An exit interview was completed. The report was reviewed and discussed. Appeal Rights were discussed. The facility representative was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 12/15) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the licensing office within 15 business days. The facility representative was informed that the 'Notice of Site Visit' must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100.00. The 'Notice of Site Visit' must be posted on or adjacent to the door. Failure to post Type A Reports for 30 days will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.