Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On 01/06/2026 at 1:00 PM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPA) Gabriela Hernandez and Angelica Vargas conducted an unannounced annual inspection for a small family childcare at the above home. Also, the licensee has applied to increase capacity to a large family childcare home and a review of the application was also included in the inspection. Fire Clearance was approved by Menifee Office of the Fire Marshall on 11/19/2025. LPA met with Licensee Maria Garica, who guided LPA on a tour of the home. There was 5 children present with Licensee and Assistants when LPA arrived.
The facility operates Monday through Saturday from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM each day. Certain areas are off-limits, including all bedrooms, restroom #2, kitchen, dining area, part of the front yard where plants are stored, garage and backyard. The facility is licensed as a small Family Child Care Home (FCCH) with a maximum capacity of eight children and is operating within the licensed capacity of the license.
During the inspection, LPA verified a working cell phone is available, and the 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. The electric fireplace is properly screened to prevent access by children. Cleaning supplies, including toxins, are stored securely and are inaccessible to children. LPA observed several hazardous items in the front yard, such as plants with thorns, gardening tools, exposed barbecue grill, and play house with exposed staples, and baby walker that can be hazardous to children in care. Type B deficiency issued. The front yard is used by day care children to play and the backyard is off-limits.
No weapons are present, and the Licensee, Maria Garcia, 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 3, 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.
Employee records are complete; Children records were not complete. The infant in care was missing 15 minute sleep documentation; Type B deficiency issued. Licensee\342\200\231s Mandated Reporter Training has been completed and is valid until November 19, 2027. Licensee\342\200\231s Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification expires on November 15, 2027. Health and Safety Preventative Course was completed on 09/09/2023. Resident and staff records were reviewed, and all adults requiring caregiver background checks have received the necessary clearances and exemptions.
Licensee Maria Garcia 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 Maria Garcia 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, a Plan for Providing 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.
The Duty Officer is available to answer questions Monday \342\200\223 Friday; 8:00am to 5:00pm at: 951-782-4200. All Unusual Incident Reports can be submitted online at
UnusualIncidentReportsDO10@dss.ca.gov
.
During the exit interview, the Licensee Maria Garcia confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS on 11/03/2025.
There are deficiencies being cited on the attached 809-D page.
A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Once all corrections have been verified, the application for a Large Family Child Care Home will be submitted for approval with a maximum capacity of 12 or 14 with parent notification.
An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this this report was reviewed with and handed to Licensee Maria Garcia.
Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.
**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
.**
