Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On June 4, 2025, at 9:23 am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Cindy Hamilton and Sumayya Habeebulla conducted an unannounced annual inspection for a large family childcare. LPAs met with licensee Kathi-Jo Mustaffa, who guided LPAs on a tour of the home. There was one child present with Licensee when LPAs arrived.
The facility operates Monday through Friday from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM each day. Certain areas are off-limits, including the garage, laundry room, bedroom #3 and hall bathroom. 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 02/21/2024 by Riverside County Fire Department.
During the inspection, LPA observed Licensee to be responsive and aware of where the children were at all times. A working cell phone telephone is available, and the current phone number on file is 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. The fireplace is properly screened to prevent access by children, and all hazardous items, including toxins, are stored securely and are inaccessible to children. No weapons are present, and the Licensee, Kathi-Jo Mustaffa, 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\342\200\231s Rights, are displayed. Fire and disaster drill documentation is maintained, with the last drill conducted on December 30, 2024.
There are pools, spas, or other bodies of water. LPA inspected the backyard, inspecting the pool and the fence that surrounds it. The pool has a sturdy 4-foot 11 in wrought iron fence that surrounds the entire pool and a gate that opens away from the pool, but is not self closing or latching. Licensee advised to have spring adjusted. The wrought iron fence vertical bars are 4 inches apart and gaps and voids in fencing have a diameter of 4 inches or less. The lock on the gate is not positioned 60 inches from the ground. Licensee has also purchased a Pool Guard in pool alarm that detects movement inside pool water and is in compliance with ASTM International Standard F2208. In addition, licensee observed safety equipment to include a life ring with diameter of 20 inches and approved by United States Coast Guard and a non-adjustable rescue pole that is 12 feet in length with a body hook. LPA did not observe any items or objects near fencing that would reduce the fence\342\200\231s height to less than 5 feet or make fence climbable by a child under six years old. LPA observed that a daily pool inspection log is being completed on days of operation and all safety measures are in place before the facility opens.
Children's records were complete and employees' records are not complete. Mandated Reporter Training has been completed and is valid until 06/04/2026. The Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification expires on December 2025. Resident and staff records were reviewed, and all adults requiring caregiver background checks have received the necessary clearances and exemptions.
Licensee Kathi-Jo Mustaffa 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 Kathi-Jo Mustaffa 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\342\200\231s website:
www.ccld.ca.gov
. Additionally, there is a link to \342\200\234Receive Important Updates\342\200\235 located on the right side of the page, immediately above Quick Links. One can add their email address and choose which program(s) they wish to receive Provider Information Notices (PIN) for.
The Duty Officer is available to answer questions Monday \342\200\223 Friday; 8:00am to 5:00pm at: 951-782-4200
On May 27, 2025, the California Attorney General - Megan\342\200\231s Law website was searched for information on sex offenders required to register with local law enforcement under California's Megan's Law. No registered sex offenders were found at the facility addresses. Under state law, some registered sex offenders are not subject to public disclosure; therefore, they may not have been included in this search. However, the Department conducts a monthly cross reference of each address on record for all registered sex offenders against all CCLD facility addresses pursuant to information shared by California DOJ.
To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey may be sent to the email address provided. Please complete the survey and share your inspection experience. If you have any questions regarding the process for CARE tools, please send the email inquiries to inspectionprocess@dss.ca.gov. For additional information regarding the inspection and its tools and methods, please visit the Program website at
www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/process
.
There are no deficiencies being cited at this time.
An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this this report, appeal rights and Notice of Site Visit was reviewed with and provided to Licensee Kathi-Jo Mustaffa. Licensee was reminded that Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for 30 consecutive days.