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Inspection visit

Routine inspection (3-year)

LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOLLicense 3348458182 citations on this visit
2 citations recorded

Inspector’s narrative

What the inspector wrote

On 03/07/2024 at 4:40 PM 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 5. Room 5 is connected to Room 4 and separated by a wooden partition. (Room 4/Preschool) 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 \342\200\223 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 \342\200\223 Update Requested The following items have been posted and are updated where necessary: License, Emergency Disaster Plan (LIC610) and Earthquake Preparedness Checklist (LIC9148) Parent\342\200\231s Rights Poster (PUB393), Personal Rights (LIC613A); Child Car Seat Law, Menu \302\267 The facility is operating within the terms of the license. \302\267 Ratios were met and appropriate supervision was provided during this inspection: LPA conducted a census of 6 children supervised by 1 staff. \302\267 Classrooms are clean, free of hazards and equipped with age-appropriate furniture and equipment in good condition. \302\267 No weapons stored at the facility. \302\267 LPA Susan Brewer 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 not exposed to the buckets of water at the time of the inspection. The licensee removed the water in the presence of the LPA. In addition, the LPA observed a crawl space uncovered next to the sink. LPA reminded the licensee that all wading pools or similar product must be emptied immediately after use and stored in an upright position. \302\267 Medications are NOT stored where inaccessible to children. The licensee stated they are not providing Incidental Medical Services at this time. \302\267 Center is equipped to isolate and care for any child who becomes ill during the day. \302\267 Hazards are stored where inaccessible to children which include: disinfectants, cleaning solutions and other items that are dangerous to children \302\267 All floors shall be clean and safe. \302\267 Measures are taken to keep the facility free of flies, other insects and rodents. \302\267 Toxins are key locked in a storage room. \302\267 Bathrooms were observed to be safe, sanitary and in operating condition. \302\267 Playgrounds are enclosed by appropriate fences and free of hazards. \302\267 Outdoor activity areas are supplied with age and size appropriate equipment in good condition. \302\267 Food preparation area is clean and free of vermin. \302\267 Food is stored appropriately and protected from contamination. \302\267 All storage containers for solid waste, including moveable bins shall have tight-fitting covers that are kept on, and in good repair. \302\267 Menus are posted at least one week in advance in a place visible by the child\342\200\231s authorized representative, dated and kept on file for 30 days, and made available upon request. \302\267 Uncontaminated drinking water shall be readily available both indoors and out and provided by filtered water. Children bring individual water bottles to drink from. \302\267 The areas around or under high climbing equipment, swings, slides, and similar equipment shall be cushioned with material that absorbs a fall: Facility has artificial turf to cushion a fall. \302\267 Sign in/Sign out record was reviewed and do NOT meet regulation requirements. LPA conducted a 6 children and only 2 sign in sheets were reviewed, which were missing staff sign in upon arrival at the facility. \302\267 A Staff member is present with current Pediatric CPR/First Aid which expires on 09/2024 \302\267 Opening and closing staff member\342\200\231s CPR/First Aid expires on 02/2025 \302\267 Director completed Health, Safety and Nutrition Training on 09/06/2018, No Lead component. \302\267 Staff qualifications and files were reviewed and are complete. \302\267 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 \302\267 Children files were reviewed and are complete on 03/07/2024. \302\267 Documentation of fire & earthquake drills to be conducted every six months: Last drill on February 2024. \302\267 AB2370 \342\200\223 Lead Exposure, day care facilities, effective January 1, 2019 \342\200\223 \302\267 Lead report dated 02/06/2023 indicates no ALE detected. 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. \302\267 AB605 \342\200\223 Child day care facilities, birth to school-age license; Effective January 1, 2021 \302\267 AB2960 \342\200\223 Child care and development services, online portal \342\200\223 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 The licensee Director was was reminded that all adults 18 and over working, 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 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.

Citations

2 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.

  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SPACE

    Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed water draining into a bucket underneath and outdoor a sink, missing the required plumbing pipe and filling the bucket with water and an uncovered crawl space next to the outdoor sink, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

  • 101529.1(b)Type B

    Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA conducted a 6 children and only 2 sign in sheets were reviewed, which were missing staff sign in upon arrival at the facility and sign in sheets were not maintained with signatures of the authorized representative when checking the daycare children out of the facility, 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 an inspection of LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL on March 7, 2024. 2 citations were issued: 2 Type B.

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

Yes, 2 citations were issued (0 Type A, 2 Type B). The first citation was for: "Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed water draining into a buc..."

What type of inspection was this?

This was an inspection. Inspections are conducted by CCLD as part of their licensing oversight.

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