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Inspection visit

Routine inspection (3-year)

LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOLLicense 3348458173 citations on this visit
3 citations recorded

Inspector’s narrative

What the inspector wrote

On 03/07/2024 at 8:35 am Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Susan Brewer, arrived at the facility to conduct a 1 year required annual inspection. LPA was greeted by Director Jennifer Fernando and granted entry to tour the facility, inside and out. LPA reviewed records, and observed and/or discussed the following: Normal days and hours of operation are: Monday- Friday, 7:00am - 6:00pm, located in Rooms 1, 2, 3 and Room 4. Room 4 is connected to Room 5 (Room 5 school age) and separated by a wooden partition. The inspection consisted of reviews of the following domains: Food Service; Reporting Requirements Physical Plant; Care and Supervision; Children Records; Staff Records; Staffing Ratio and Capacity and Personal Rights. The inspection found the facility to be in compliance in these domains, except as noted on the LIC809D. The licensee is asked to update the following documents, if applicable, and submit to licensing within 30 days on or before 04/30/2024. 1. LIC 500 Personnel Report – Update Requested 2. LIC 610 Emergency & Disaster Plan-Update Requested. 3. Parent Handbook/ Program Curriculum/Admission policies and procedures/ fee schedule (only if changes have been made)- Update Requested 4. LIC 309 Administrative Organization- Update Requested 5. LIC 308 Designation of Administrative Responsibility - Update Requested 6. LIC200A Application form – Update Requested The following items have been posted and are updated where necessary: License, Emergency Disaster Plan (LIC610) and Earthquake Preparedness Checklist (LIC9148) Parent’s Rights Poster (PUB393), Personal Rights (LIC613A); Child Car Seat Law, Menu · The facility is operating within the terms of the license. · AB2960 – Child care and development services, online portal – Effective June 20, 2022 - This bill requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), within the California Department of Education (CDE), to develop and post on CDE's website a comprehensive child care and development services online portal for families and providers by June 30, 2022. For IMS information see PIN-22-02-CCP BEST PRACTICES RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF INCIDENTAL MEDICAL SERVICES IN CHILD CARE CENTERS AND FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES. 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)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm Director was reminded that all adults 18 and over working in the home, including employees and volunteers, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption, or transfer their existing clearance or exemption, prior to initial presence in a licensed Child Care Center. A civil penalty of $100.00 minimum/day up to $500.00 maximum per day/per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. LPA Susan Brewer informed Facility Representative of the importance of checking for recalled 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. 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 process or tools, please send them by email 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 . Deficiencies were cited this visit. Civil Penalties were not cited this visit. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee Jennifer Fernando. · Ratios were met and appropriate supervision was provided during this inspection with 47 children supervised by 6 staff. The director also assists with care and supervision in Room 2. · Classrooms are clean, free of hazards and equipped with age-appropriate furniture and equipment in good condition. However, the LPA observed Rooms 1, 2 and 3, to have cots stacked with children's bedding that came in contact with other children's bedding. · No weapons stored at the facility. · LPA Susan Brewer observed bodies of water present. At 9:29 AM LPA observed a bucket filled with water in the side yard passageway, used by preschool children to enter the preschool playground. In addition, at 9:41 AM LPA observed a bucket filled with water underneath the outdoor sink, located in the school age playground where preschool children also cross through to enter the side yard passageway. Per licensee Jennifer Fernando, the bucket was used to catch water draining from the sink with a missing pipe and re-purposed for the plants and trees. No children were exposed to the buckets of water at the time of the inspection. The licensee removed the water in the presence of the LPA. LPA reminded the licensee that all wading pools or similar product must be emptied immediately after use and stored in an upright position. · Medications are NOT stored where inaccessible to children. The licensee stated they are not providing Incidental Medical Services at this time. · Hazards are stored where inaccessible to children which include: Disinfectants, cleaners and other items that are dangerous. Poisons and toxins are locked in the kitchen and storage cabinets. · All floors are clean and safe. · Bathrooms were observed to be safe and in operating condition, however the LPA observed the 4 toilets to be unclean on the surface and base, with residuals of urine and scum build up. · Outdoor activity areas and playgrounds are enclosed by appropriate fences and are supplied with age and size appropriate equipment. LPA observed outdoor play equipment to be full of dirt, sand and debris, and other broken play equipment in the outdoor play area to be broken, an old plant project scattered on the playground with torn plastic cups mixed with PVC pipe compiled as discarded materials in the corner of the play yard. During the inspection, the licensee took a hammer and hammered the nail back into the wooden plank of the bench. · Food preparation area is clean, free of litter, rubbish and free of rodents and other vermin. · Measures are taken to keep the facility free of flies, other insects and rodents. · Food is stored appropriately and protected from contamination. · Storage containers for solid waste, including moveable bins were not observed to have tight-fitting covers or lids in the outdoor area. LPA observed the waste to include discarded food miscellaneous trash in 2 bins located in the outdoor play area. · Menus are posted at least one week in advance in a place visible by the child’s authorized representative, dated and kept on file for 30 days, and made available upon request. · Uncontaminated drinking water shall be readily available both indoors and out and provided by filtered water. Children bring individual water bottles to drink from. · The areas around or under high climbing equipment, swings, slides, and similar equipment shall be cushioned with material that absorbs a fall: Facility has rubber mulch and sand to cushion a fall. · Sign in/Sign out record was reviewed and do NOT meet regulation requirements. LPA conducted a census of 47 children in care observed sign in sheets to be missing, 5 sign-in sheets to have initials only, 3 sign-in sheets to have missing signatures and times. · A Staff member is present with current Pediatric CPR/First Aid which expires on 09/2024 · Opening and closing staff member’s CPR/First Aid expires on 07/2024 · Director completed Health, Safety and Nutrition Training on 09/06/2018, No Lead component. · Staff qualifications and files were reviewed and are complete. · Staff have received on the job training for housekeeping, sanitation and universal health precautions. Licensee was informed the Department has inspection authority per Health and Safety Codes. Licensee provided the Unusual Incident Reporting email: UnusualIncidentReportsDO09@dss.ca.gov · Children files were reviewed and are complete on 03/07/2024. · Documentation of fire & earthquake drills to be conducted every six months: Last drill on February 2024. · AB2370 – Lead Exposure, day care facilities, effective January 1, 2019 – The bill requires that all Child Care Centers, operating in a building constructed before January 1, 2010, shall have their drinking water tested for excessive lead levels, on or after January 1, 2020, but no later than January 1, 2023. Child Care Centers must thereafter test their drinking water every five years after the date of the initial test. · AB605 – Child day care facilities, birth to school-age license; Effective January 1, 2021

Citations

3 citations recorded*CCLD

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to children. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

  • 101229.1(d)Type B

    Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in the sign in sheets for preschool children were not kept and/or were missing full signatures, by the authorized representative dropping off and/or picking up the daycare child, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

  • NAPPING EQUIPMENT

    Based on observation the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed Rooms 1, 2 and 3 to have napping cots with children's bedding stacked where children's bedding came in contact with other children's bedding, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

  • 101239(n)Type B

    FIXTURES, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

    Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in the facility outdoor swing set is broken, play structure has damaged steel located on the stairs and platformed bridge and a wooden bench plank is broken with a nail sticking out of the plank, and the wrought iron fencing is damaged, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

FAQ · About this visit

Common questions about this visit

What happened during the March 7, 2024 inspection of LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL?

This was a inspection inspection of LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL on March 7, 2024. 3 citations were issued: 3 Type B.

Were any citations issued to LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL on March 7, 2024?

Yes, 3 citations were issued (0 Type A, 3 Type B). The first citation was for: "Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in the sign in sheets for preschool chi..."

What type of inspection was this?

This was a inspection inspection. inspection inspections are conducted by CCLD as part of their licensing oversight.

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