Follow-up·November 18, 2022

On November 18, 2022, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Lorena Valenzuela made an unannounced case management inspection due to reported Lead Exceedance in the facility\342\200\231s water. LPA Valenzuela met with Director (DIR) Jay Rallion who led the tour of the facility. Present in the facility were 17 day care children and 3 teachers/staff. Facility was within ratio and capacity. All staff members have the required background clearances or exemptions. Assembly Bill 2370, Chapter 676, Statutes of 2018, added Health and Safety Code section 1597.16 requiring all licensed Child Care Centers constructed before January 1, 2010, test their water for lead between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2023, and then every 5 years after the date of the first lead testing. Per records review, the facility had the water sampled for lead on 09/29/2022. Based on the water sample taken on 09/29/2022, water outlet reported 5.5 ppb (parts per billion) or greater lead exceedance levels as follows: Outdoor drinking water fountain- labeled letter B \342\200\223 9.16 ppb During the visit, LPA Valenzuela observed the drinking fountain labeled B, identified as having high levels of lead. The water outlet is located outside to the left of the back exit door (next to the electrical room door). Interviews with staff revealed children do not use water fountain labeled letter B as it is out of the visible supervision of the outdoor play area. Staff revealed the water fountain labeled letter B has not been used for a year or more. However, based on documents received and interviews conducted, the faucet for drinking water located inside the classroom, identified and labeled as letter E (based on the facility sketch received) had the faucet replaced two weeks ago and was believed to be the faucet that tested high in lead. Per the Director, water outlet outside labeled letter B has not been retested, and facility is in the process of having the external water sampler retest the water outlet, per the Director date of retest is unknown. All other fountains and water outlets tested within an acceptable level with no lead exceedance, except for the drinking water fountain labeled letter B. Parents were notified via the parent communication board where the results are posted and a letter dated 11/02/2022, was sent to parents of lead testing being conducted at the facility . Interview with staff revealed drinking water is available throughout the facility via drinking water fountains, with some children bringing in their own water bottles. Staff interviews revealed that staff will refill the children's water bottles ,if needed, using the facility\342\200\231s drinking water fountains located inside the facility, including water outlets labeled letter E and D. On 11/15/2022, the facility provided LPA with facility sketch, signed and dated External Water Sampler Self- Certification (LIC 9275) and Child Care Sampling Checklist (LIC 9276) forms along with other documents provided by the external water sampler. During the inspection, Director Jay Rallion bagged and covered water outlets labeled B and E and advised staff to discontinue use of water outlets until further clarification is obtained regarding the lead test results for both outlets. Director agrees to provide the results of the second water sample test to the Department within 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Jay Rallion. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.