Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
This is an amended report C page. On today's date, LPA Berry, met with the Director Karen Brazzill to discuss 8 allegations regarding Supervision, Physical Plant, Personal Rights, Capacity and Ratio, Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies and Reporting Requirements.
Supervision - Lack of Supervision: It was alleged that facility staff do not provide adequate care and supervision of preschool daycare children
. The LPAs conducted interviews with pertinent parties and made observations of the preschool playground, and the preschool room identified with restrooms and exit doors leading to the playground. Information gathered revealed that facility staff conducting restroom calls for preschool children during scheduled outdoor play, are instructed to use the “Rainbow View”, which allows facility staff to both supervise preschool children playing on the playground and preschool children entering the classroom to use the restroom by positioning themselves in the doorway and turning their head side to side in a scanning motion. It was determined through the LPA inspection and observations that the restrooms located in the preschool room identified have toilets hidden behind a full floor to ceiling wall. Due to the location of the toilets in the restrooms and wall barriers creating blind spots the facility staff do not have direct site of preschool children using the restroom if staff remain positioned in the doorway and by using the “Rainbow View” method of supervision. Based on evidence gathered, interviews with pertinent parties and observations, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be
Substantiated
, and is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.
Physical Plant/Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies - It was alleged that on 06/052024, the facility toilets were not operating due to no running water throughout the childcare center. During an interview conducted on 08/15/2024, the facility director Karen Brazzill, denied the allegation that the facility had it’s water shut off or that the toilets were either inoperable or broken.
(Cont on 9099C)
However, LPA interviews conducted with pertinent parties and records obtained revealed that the facility water service was interrupted and shut off by the water company for non-payment and non-compliance during facility operating hours 04/03/2024, 06/05/2024, 08/07/2024 and on 09/17/2024, at the location address 6048 ETIWANDA AVENUE, MIRA LOMA, CA 91752, and between the hours of 9:00 AM to noon for each shut-off event that took place. Information gathered through interviews with pertinent parties also revealed that daycare children present during operating hours on the above specified dates, continued to use the restroom but unable to flush the toilets, without running water. Another pertinent party interviewed described the facility toilets not working and the pipes in the sink not working at the facility, the drain was filled with milk and the pipes were screwed off. Another party interviewed pertinent to the allegation, stated the drinking water was not working and the water was not coming out. Based on evidence of records gathered and interviews with pertinent parties, it was determined that the facility toilets were inoperable without running water on 4 separate dates, between the hours of 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and until indoor and/or outdoor meters were turned on to resume running water. Based on interviews conducted and record review it was determined that during the events listed below, the children did not have access to running water for consumption or for the operation of the facility toilets, faucets and or other equipment which resulted in a personal rights violation to daycare children. Therefore, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the above allegation is found to be
Substantiated
, and is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.
Reporting Requirements – It was alleged that on 06/05/2024 the facility director did not report the facility was without running water at the child care center. LPAs made observations and conducted interviews with pertinent parties which revealed that the facility water meters indoors and/or outdoors were shut off on 4 separate occasions, which cause other facility fixtures and/or equipment to be inoperable at the childcare center. During an interview conducted on 08/15/2024, the facility director Karen Brazzill, denied the allegation that the facility did not follow reporting requirements and denied the facility water was shut off and/or the toilets were not working.
(Cont on 9099C)
Records gathered and interviews conducted with pertinent parties through further investigation revealed that center director Karen Brazill, had knowledge of the water meters being shut off at the Kingston Academy Childcare Center on 04/03/2024, 06/05/2024, 08/07/2024 and 09/17/2024, impacting all center program components and the events were not reported to the community care licensing childcare department. Furthermore, it is unknown if the authorized representatives of daycare children were notified of the interruption of running water or the ability for children to use restrooms, sinks or free access to drinking water.
Additional evidence gathered revealed that prior to each scheduled shut-off, facility representative/(s) were notified 45-60 days in advance, to provide the licensee and/or a facility representative sufficient time to prevent the interruptions of service for running water. Based on the evidence gathered. LPA’s own observations, interviews conducted and record review, it was determined that the facility director did not comply with reporting requirements and the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the above allegation is found to be
Substantiated
, and is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.
LPA Patricia Berry, informed Director Karen Brazzill, that this report dated 10/11/2024 documents a Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.
Also, LPA Patricia Berry informed the Director Karen Brazzill, to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 10/11/2024 and that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report LIC 9224, or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.
(Cont on 9099C)
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director, Karen Brazzill. A citation’s issued, appeal rights and LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt provided to the director.
No civil penalties issued during today's investigation. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. LPA verified the director Karen Brazzill posted the Notice of Site Visit prior to exiting the facility. The director was reminded that failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
Citations:
