Routine inspection·August 20, 2025

On 08/20/2025 at 08:08 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gabriela Hernandez conducted an unannounced annual inspection for a large family childcare. LPA met with Licensee Margarita Cardenas, who guided LPA on a tour of the home. There were 3 children present with Licensee and Assistant when LPA arrived. The facility operates Monday through Saturday from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM each day. Certain areas are off-limits, including All Bedrooms, Master Bathroom, Garage and Side Yards. Licensee will submit update facility sketch to include the Garage that has been converted as Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Licensee provided copy of permits from City of Coachella. Licensee understands the ADU cannot be used until the fire department and licensing have completed inspection. The facility is licensed as a Large Family Child Care Home (FCCH) with a maximum capacity of 14 children and is operating within the licensed capacity of the license. The fire clearance for a large family child care was approved on 08/16/2006 by Riverside County Fire Department. During the inspection, LPA verified a working cell phone and landline telephone are available. LPA also verified current phone number and email on file are correct. A fully charged fire extinguisher (2A:10BC) was observed, along with a functioning smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector, both of which were tested by the Licensee. All hazardous items, including toxins, are stored securely and are inaccessible to children. No weapons are present, and the Licensee, Margarita Cardenas, understands that all firearms, weapons, and ammunition must be locked separately and made inaccessible as per Title 22 Regulations. The facility provides clean, safe, and age-appropriate toys for children. A current roster is on file, and required postings, including the Facility Sketch, Emergency Disaster Plan, and Notification of Parent’s Rights, are displayed. Fire and disaster drill documentation is maintained, with the last drill conducted on August 8, 2025. There are not any pools, spas, or other bodies of water. Licensee understands that all bodies of water including ponds, above ground pools, spas, and some fountains must be properly covered or fenced per Title 22 Regulations. The Department must be notified before and after installation of the above types of bodies of water. In addition, all wading pools or similar products must be emptied immediately after use and stored in an upright position. Both children's and employees' records are complete. Mandated Reporter Training has been completed and is valid until November 07, 2026. The Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification expires April 23, 2027. Health & Safety Certificate - completed on 03/2001. Resident and staff records were reviewed, and all adults requiring caregiver background checks have received the necessary clearances and exemptions. Licensee Margarita Cardenas 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. LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Licensee Margarita Cardenas 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, an updated Plan of Operation that includes 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) or (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/ 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. On-line Licensing forms & regulations for a Child Care Center can be obtained on the Department’s website: www.ccld.ca.gov . Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platform. To receive important licensed-related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. The Duty Officer is available to answer questions Monday – Friday; 8:00am to 5:00pm at: 951-782-4200. Licensee was informed of their reporting requirements and is provided with the Regional Office’s Unusual Incident Reporting email mailbox: UnusualIncidentReportsDO10@dss.ca.gov Licensee can submit fingerprint transfer forms to associate new individuals or to disassociate someone from the facility at: Associations_Disassociations858@dss.ca.gov There are deficiencies being cited on the attached 809-D page. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Licensee Margarita Cardenas. During the exit interview, the Licensee Margarita Cardenas, confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS on 07/29/2025. *To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey will be sent to the email address provided. Please complete the survey and share your inspection experience. If you have any questions regarding the inspection, please reach out to me or anyone at the Regional Office (RO). For additional information regarding the inspection and its CARE Tools and methods, please visit the Care Tools webpage at: www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/process .