Sterling Montessori

LIMITATIONS ON CAPACITY

This is an amended report. No deficiency cited

(e) The failure of an applicant for licensure or a licensee to pay all applicable and accrued fees and civil penalties shall constitute grounds for denial or forfeiture of a license.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on record review, the facility did not comply with the section cited above by carrying a balance of $1,936.00 of unpaid annual fees. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

(g) Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons and other items that could pose a danger if readily available to children shall be stored where inaccessible to children. (1) Storage areas for poisons shall be locked.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to Ortho insect killer poison being stored in the staff bathroom that did not feature a key or combination lock. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

ARTICLE 2. Administration of Child Day Care Licensing

(1) On or before March 30, 2018, a... licensed child day care provider, administrator, or employee of a licensed child day care facility shall complete the mandated reporter training provided pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a), and shall complete renewal mandated reporter training every two years following the date on which he or she completed the initial mandated reporter training. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Through record review, LPA determined that 6 of the 7 personnel files reviewed did not include valid mandated reporter training certificates. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

A licensed child day care facility shall provide to the parents or legal guardians of each child receiving services in the facility copies of any licensing document pertaining to a conference conducted by a local licensing agency management representative with the licensee in which issues of noncompliance are discussed… (3) The licensee shall require each recipient of the licensing document pertaining to a conference to sign a statement indicating that he or she has received the document and the date it was received. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on record review, 5 out of 8 children's files reviewed were missing signed acknowledgments that licensing documents pertaining to a non-compliance conference on 9/12/2025 was provided to parents. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care

101215.1(g) A licensee who is responsible for two or more centers may serve as the child care center director of one of the centers...or may serve as the executive director of all of the centers provided that a qualified child care center director is employed for each individual center. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to the director of the facility serving as director at a second center, without a separate qualified director being employed individually for the second center. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

(a) The licensee shall ensure that personnel records are maintained on the licensee, administrator and each employee. Each personnel record shall contain the following information: (11) A health screening as specified in Section 101216(g). Based on record review and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to 3 of the 7 personnel files not containing a health screening for the employee. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to no staff member present having a non-expired pediatric CPR/First Aid certificate. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to dishwasher detergent present below the kitchen sink in a cabinet that did not feature a safety lock. The kitchen door remained open throughout LPA visit. This poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

ARTICLE 2. Administration of Child Day Care Licensing

Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to 3 staff members either having not taken mandated report training or having expired certificates, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

1596.8595(c)(2) Upon enrollment of a new child in a facility, the licensee shall provide to the parents...copies of any licensing report...during the prior 12-month period that documents any Type A citation that represents an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care... This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on record review and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by stating that they have not provided these reports as they were only aware of a 30 day requirement. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

(b)(1) The notice posted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall remain posted for 30 consecutive days....This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by removing a previously posted notice for a 4/25/2025 visit in which a Type A citation was issued. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER-CHILD RATIO

101216.3(b) The licensee may use teacher aides in a teacher-child ratio of one teacher and one aide for every 15 children in attendance.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation and interview, LPA determined that, upon his arrival, one qualified teacher and two aides were supervising 23 children on the outdoor play yard. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

(a)The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to the presence of rodents in the facility, including droppings and a deceased rodent. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER AIDE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

101216.2(e) An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to an aide being left alone providing care to children without the direct supervision of a teacher. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER AIDE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

101216.2(e) An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, interview, and record review, LPA determined that, on 11/1/2024, two aides were left alone supervising children on the outdoor play yard without the presence of a teacher. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER-CHILD RATIO

101216.3(b) The licensee may use teacher aides in a teacher-child ratio of one teacher and one aide for every 15 children in attendance.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, interview, and record review, LPA determined that there was a ten minute period during the visit during which 18 children were supervised by 1 qualified teacher and 1 aide. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER AIDE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

101216.2(e) An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, interview, and record review, LPA determined that, from approximately 10:50am to 10:58am and then from 11:10am to 11:20am, two aides were providing care to 14 children without being under the direct supervision of a qualified teacher. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Criminal Record Clearance Requirements - Initial Clearance

Subsequent to initial licensure, a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall obtain either a criminal record clearance or an exemption from disqualification...prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the facility.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, interview, and record review, LPA determined that a cook (S1) working at the facility did not have a valid criminal background clearance to work in a child care center. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

ARTICLE 2. Administration of Child Day Care Licensing

Based on record review and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to 6 out of 6 cases of children's records lacking signed LIC9224 forms acknowleding that parents received reports with Type A citations from 5/14/2024 and 7/11/2024, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER-CHILD RATIO

Based on observation and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to 19 children being provided care for by 1 teacher and 2 aides which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES

Based on observation and record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to the storage of an albuterol inhaler that did not feature a prescription label. This poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER AIDE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

101216.2(e) An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Through observation, interview, and record review, LPA determined that, from 8:05am to approximately 8:20am on 7/11/24, two aides were providing supervision to 13 children while being the only two staff members present at the facility. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

TEACHER-CHILD RATIO

101216.3(a)Teacher-Child Ratio: (a)There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance. This requirement was not met as evidenced by 1 teacher in the playground supervising 13 children which poses an immediate health & safety risk to this children in care.

LIMITATIONS ON CAPACITY

101161(a)Limitations on Capacity: A licensee shall not operate a child care center beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license, including the capacity limitation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: a 20 month old enrolled in a preschool program with no toddler option which poses an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care.

HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that 1 medication did not have the label with the child's name, the physicians directions to administer and the authorized representative written consent form which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

ARTICLE 1. General Provisions and Definitions

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that 4 staff did not have proof of immuniziatons which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

ARTICLE 2. Administration of Child Day Care Licensing

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that 5 staff did not have mandated reporter training which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that 3 did not have proof of immunizations which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that 3 staff are missing health screening reports and proof of tuberculosis which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

DISASTER AND MASS CASUALTY PLAN

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that there were no documented fire drills which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

CHILD'S MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that 4 children did not have physician's reports which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING CARE AND SUPERVISION

101229(a)(1)Responbility 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. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Interviews conducted and LPAs observation that school age children were left with no staff supervision which posses an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

101216.1(c)(1) Teacher qualifications & Duties: (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, at an accredited or approved college or university; and at least six months of work experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. This requirement was not met as evidenced by LPA observations & interviews that aides are supervising which posses an immediate health & safety risk to the children in care.

CRIMINAL RECORD CLEARANCE

101170(e)(1) Criminal Record Clearance: 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 was not met as evidenced by a staff, Julia Versace, who is a preschool teacher was providing care with no fingerprint clearance which posses an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPA observed the back fence falling down and there was insufficient bark on the playground resulting in the black netting underneath being exposed which may cause a tripping hazard to children in care.

FIXTURES, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Fixtures and Furniture: All toilets, handwashing and bathing facilities shall be maintained in safe and sanitary operating condition. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPA observed a toilet missing the cover on the water tank. This poses a potential heatlh and safety risk to children in care.

GENERAL SANITATION:The following Hand washing procedures shall be used: Dry hands with disposable paper towels.Only disposable paper towels in an appropriate holder or dispenser shall be used. This requirement was not met when LPA overheard staff telling children to fling the water off their hands to dry them because there were no paper towels available in the dispenser.

ARTICLE 2. Administration of Child Day Care Licensing

Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in multiple staff did not have have current mandated reporter certificate which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in out of the staff present today no one had current first aid or CPR which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.